Red dead-nettle Lamium purpureum

Features

Lamium purpureum, known as red dead-nettle, purple dead-nettle, or purple archangel, is a herbaceous flowering plant.

Species	Annual and biennial plant
Living space	Field, Meadow
Size	up to 20 cm

Description

Lamium purpureum grows with square stems to 5–20 cm (rarely 30 cm) in height. The leaves have fine hairs, are green at the bottom and shade to purplish at the top; they are 2–4 cm long and broad, with a 1–2 cm petiole (leaf stalk), and wavy to serrated margins. The zygomorphic flowers 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. Red dead-nettles are especially rich in vitamin C, and they also contain a lot of iron and fiber. The plant has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal effects. At the same time it acts as a natural diuretic and promotes sweating. By eating it, you can alleviate certain allergies or symptoms that it causes, and it is also useful for preventing respiratory infections and sore throats.