Purple Dead Nettle, Archangel, Archangel red dead-nettle
Lamium purpureum
Family: Lamiaceae
What it is like
A herb which completes its lifecycle over one or two years. It grows 30 cm tall. The stems lie along the ground. The leaves are furry. The upper leaves are on short stalks and clasp the stem. The look a little like stinging nettles but they do not sting. The flowers are pinkish-purple and 14-20 mm long.
There are about 50 Lamium species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. They grow well in moist rich soil. It suits plant hardiness zones 3-9. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Caucasus, Europe, Falklands, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Portugal, Scandinavia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA
How it is used for food
The leaves are eaten as a snack. The young leaves are used as a potherb. The young flowering tips are boiled or candied. The flower nectar is sucked.
Leaves are sold in local markets. They are foraged and eaten in restaurants in Sweden.
Edible parts
Leaves, flower tips, nectar
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Ariotu, Ballibaba, Balotu, Chinchris deda, Chupamieles, Mala mrtva kopriva, Ortica dolce, Petekotu, Redtvetann