Lamium amplexicaule

It is a low-growing annual plant growing to {{convert|10–25|cm|abbr=on|frac=2}} (rarely to 40 cm) tall, thinly pubescent with soft, finely hairy stems. The leaves are opposite, rounded to kidney-shaped, {{convert|2–3|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} diameter, with a lobed margin, and often with long internodes. The lower leaves are stalked and the upper ones stalkless, often fused, and clasping the stems. The flowers are pink to purple, relatively large, {{convert|1.5–2|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} long, and form a few-flowered terminal spike with axillary whorls. The calyx is regular with five lobes and closes up after flowering. The corolla is purplish-red, fused into a usually erect tube {{convert|15|to|20|mm|1|abbr=on|frac=4}} long. The upper lip is convex, {{convert|3|to|5|mm|2|abbr=on|frac=16}} long and the lower lip has three lobes, two small side ones and a larger central one {{convert|1.5|to|2.5|mm|2|abbr=on|frac=16}} long. There are four stamens, two long and two short. The gynoecium has two fused carpels and the fruit is a four-chambered schizocarp.Streeter D, Hart-Davies C, Hardcastle A, Cole F, Harper L. 2009. Collins Flower Guide. Harper Collins {{ISBN|9-78-000718389-0}}{{cite web |url=http://www.luontoportti.com/suomi/en/kukkakasvit/henbit-dead-nettle |title=Henbit dead-nettle: Lamium amplexicaule |publisher=NatureGate |access-date=2013-12-15}}

This plant flowers very early in the spring even in northern areas, and for most of the winter and early spring in warmer locations such as the Mediterranean region. At times of year when there are not many pollinating insects, the flowers self-pollinate.

It is often found alongside purple dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), for which it is easily mistaken, because the two species bear not only similar leaves, but also similar bright purple flowers. They can, however, be distinguished from one another by the form of the leaves on their respective flowering stems: those of purple dead-nettle are petiolate, while those of henbit dead-nettle are sessile.Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press. {{ISBN|978-185918-4783}}

Lamium amplexicaule was described and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.{{r|IPNI:448797-1}}

Henbit dead-nettle is native most of Europe, Asia and North Africa, and has since been spread around the world by human activity.{{cite POWO |id=448797-1 |title=Lamium amplexicaule L. |access-date=5 December 2024}} It is found growing in open areas, gardens, fields and meadows, and widely in uncultivated areas in urban habitats.{{Cite web |title=Henbit, Lamium amplexicaule |url=https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/henbit-lamium-amplexicaule/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422232954/https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/henbit-lamium-amplexicaule/ |archive-date=2024-04-22 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Wisconsin Horticulture |language=en-US}} It propagates freely by seed, where it becomes a key part of a meadow ecosystem; sometimes entire fields will be reddish-purple with its flowers before spring ploughing.

It is widely naturalised in eastern North and South America, New Zealand, South Africa and Tasmania. Its attractive appearance, edibility, and readiness to grow in many climates often mean it is permitted to grow when other weeds are not.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Its status in Great Britain and Ireland is disputed; some sources give it as native,Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. {{ISBN|0-340-40170-2}}{{cite book |last1=Swan |first1=George A. |title=Flora of Northumberland |date=1993 |publisher=Natural History Society of Northumbria |isbn=0 9520782 0 1 |location=Hancock Museum |page=205}} while others cite it as an archaeophyte.

The seed is eaten by many species of birds.{{cite web | url = http://gardeningsoul.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-little-bit-of-henbit.html | title = A Little Bit of Henbit | work = Southern meadows| date = 2015-02-06 }} Where common, it is an important nectar and pollen plant for bees, especially honeybees. It also provides forage for animals.

It is often considered a weed, and even invasive in some states.{{Cite web |title=henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.) |url=https://www.invasive.org/browse/subinfo.cfm?sub=5908 |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=www.invasive.org}}{{Cite web |title=Lamium amplexicaule (Henbit): Minnesota Wildflowers |url=https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/henbit |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=www.minnesotawildflowers.info |language=en}}

The young leaves and shoots can be eaten raw or cooked,{{Cite book|last=Elias|first=Thomas S.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/244766414|title=Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods|last2=Dykeman|first2=Peter A.|publisher=Sterling|year=2009|isbn=978-1-4027-6715-9|location=New York|pages=116|oclc=244766414|orig-year=1982}} as can the stems and flowers. Henbit dead-nettle has a slightly sweet and peppery flavour, similar to celery.

File:Lamium amplexicaule habit5 (14648387660).jpg|As an invasive species in Australia

File:Lamium amplexicaule scan.jpg|Botanical scan

File:Lamium amplexicaule flower scan.jpg|Close-up of flower

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{{IPNI |id=448797-1 |taxon=Lamium amplexicaule |authority={{small|L.}} |access-date=13 September 2024}}

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{{Commons|Lamium amplexicaule}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q159008}}

amplexicaule

Category:Edible plants

Category:Flora of North Africa

Category:Flora of Asia

Category:Flora of Europe

Category:Plants described in 1753

Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus