The
zygomorphic flowers, which we think of as the millions of weeds in our yards, are bright red-purple, with a top hood-like petal, two lower lip petal lobes and minute fang-like lobes between. The
corolla shows a line of hairs near the base of the tube. They may be produced throughout the year, including mild weather in winter. This allows
bees to gather its
nectar for food when few other nectar sources are available. It is also a prominent source of
pollen for bees in March/April when bees need the pollen as protein to build up their nest.
It is often found alongside
Henbit Dead-nettle (
Lamium amplexicaule), which is easily mistaken for it since they both have similar looking leaves and similar bright purple flowers; they can be distinguished by the
stalked leaves of Red Dead-nettle on the flower stem, compared to the
unstalked leaves of Henbit Dead-nettle.
Though superficially similar to species of
Urtica (true nettles) in appearance, it is not related and does not sting, hence the name "dead-nettle".
Its uses are:
Young plants have edible tops and leaves, used in salads or in stir-fry as a spring vegetable. If finely chopped it can also be used in sauces.
Undyed, the pollen itself is a red colour and is very noticeable on the heads of bees that frequent its flowers.
Folk herbalists use purple dead nettle in many herbal remedies. One of these is purple dead nettle salve that can be used on irritated, itchy, or sore skin.
I would have never thought that these weeds could hold so much value in our yards!
