Everyone knows dead nettles. But there is not just one dead nettle, but several species. The spotted deadnettle has a specific characteristic that makes it easy to distinguish from other species. Other facts about her are also interesting.
What is spotted deadnettle and how do you recognize it?
The spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum) is a perennial, herbaceous plant from the mint family. It has egg-shaped, serrated leaves and characteristic purple or white-spotted labial flowers. It occurs in Europe to Asia Minor, grows in sparse forests and along roadsides on moist, calcareous soils.
Features worth knowing in profile form
- Plant family and genus: Lamiaceae, dead nettles
- Botanical name: Lamium maculatum
- Origin: Europe to Asia Minor
- Occurrence: sparse forests, roadsides
- Growth: upright to prostrate
- Leaves: ovate, serrated, fragrant
- Flowering period: April to June (less often until September)
- Flowers: in false whorls, labiate, purple or white
- Fruits: Claus fruits
- Location: Sun to partial shade
- Soil: moist, calcareous, nutrient-rich
- Propagation: self-seeding, runners
You can find the spotted deadnettle there
In contrast to the red deadnettle, this species is not only an annual, but also perennial. It grows herbaceously and forms both underground and above-ground runners. You can find this plant on roadsides, in sparse forests and on the edge of trees. It prefers to inhabit nutrient-rich soils in partial shade.
Your main external features
The spotted deadnettle reaches an average height of 20 to 60 cm. Their growth is medium to strong. In appearance it appears to be lying down or upright. The square stems that set the tone are hollow.
The leaves lie around the stems in an opposite sequence. They reach a length of up to 6 cm and a width of 5 cm. They are egg-shaped, serrated on the edge and finely hairy on the surface. For some they are fragrant, while for others they smell unpleasant.
The flowers of the spotted deadnettle (similar to the white deadnettle) appear from April onwards. They are the part of the plant that makes it easy to distinguish it from other species. In contrast to the monochrome flowers of the red deadnettle and white deadnettle, the flowers of this species are spotted on the lower lip.
Tip
The spotted deadnettle is often confused with the red deadnettle. But the difference is clearly visible: the labial flowers of the spotted deadnettle have white markings.
