Here are two easily confused species of deadnettle (Lamium species). One is henbit (L. amplexicaule) and the other purple deadnettle (L. purpureum). They are called deadnettle because they look slightly similar to stinging nettle plants. Since these plants do not sting, they got the nickname 'dead'.
Quick story: I didn't know that there were two species! I was going to post about henbit and then realized that the plants in my photos didn't look very similar, some had a petiole (stalk that attaches the leaf to the stem) and others didn't, also some of the leaves were rounded while others were more pointy. So, I stopped what I was doing and did a little investigating. I realized that plants with no petiole and rounded leaves were L. amplexicaule and the ones with a petiole and pointy leaves were L. purpuream. I went out on a walk to collect more photos and am now very embarrassed that I confused them.
Both species are members of the mint family (Laminaceae), giving them square stems. They both have opposite leaves and whorled flowers. Both are native to Europe but are widespread across North America.
Happy Spring from my new home in Washington DC! It has been a pleasure to explore plants in my new city and it is amazing how many species I see here were also present in Salt Lake City.
Quick story: I didn't know that there were two species! I was going to post about henbit and then realized that the plants in my photos didn't look very similar, some had a petiole (stalk that attaches the leaf to the stem) and others didn't, also some of the leaves were rounded while others were more pointy. So, I stopped what I was doing and did a little investigating. I realized that plants with no petiole and rounded leaves were L. amplexicaule and the ones with a petiole and pointy leaves were L. purpuream. I went out on a walk to collect more photos and am now very embarrassed that I confused them.
Both species are members of the mint family (Laminaceae), giving them square stems. They both have opposite leaves and whorled flowers. Both are native to Europe but are widespread across North America.
Happy Spring from my new home in Washington DC! It has been a pleasure to explore plants in my new city and it is amazing how many species I see here were also present in Salt Lake City.
Lamium amplexicaule | Lamium purpureum |
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