Henbit Dead-nettle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• clasping henbit
• giraffehead
• henbit
• henbit dead-nettle
• Hen-Bit
• Hen-Bit Dead-Nettle
• Dead-Nettle
• henbit deadnettle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Galeobdolon amplexicaule
• Lamiopsis amplexicaulis
• Lamiella amplexicaulis
• Pollichia amplexicaulis
• Neckeria amplexicaulis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Lamium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland as well. Additionally, the species has established itself in the unique environment of Iceland. These locations highlight its ability to thrive within specific Northern European territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lamium amplexiicaule is characterized by a remarkably broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to colonize a diverse array of vertical landscapes. This species is capable of thriving across an extensive elevational range, starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) and ascending to high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 4300 m AMSL. While it is frequently documented inhabiting lowland areas, its adaptability enables it to persist in varied topographical niches. This wide ecological amplitude suggests a high degree of resilience to varying atmospheric pressures and temperature gradients across its primary habitats.

Elevational range max:

4300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Genetics

The genetics of Lamium amplexicaule are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its reproductive biology and evolutionary lineage within the Lamiaceae family. A fundamental cytogenetic feature of this species is its diploid chromosome number, which is consistently recorded as 18. This chromosomal count serves as a key diagnostic marker for the species, influencing its patterns of inheritance, genetic stability, and potential for polyploidization during evolutionary processes. The organization of these 18 chromosomes provides the structural basis for the plant's genomic complexity, governing the segregation of alleles during meiosis and ensuring the transmission of hereditary traits such as leaf morphology, flowering phenology, and secondary metabolite production.

Chromosome number :

18

Life history

The life history of Lamium amplexicaule is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable conditions primarily through the production of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental cues trigger regrowth. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it reaches the end of its seasonal cycle. Structurally, its growth habit is defined by its therophyte life form, focusing its energy on rapid vegetative development and reproductive success before the onset of adverse seasonal changes.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Lamium amplexicaule is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana, and it exists as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or epiphytic qualities. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.04 m to a maximum of 0.4 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 0.1415 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.1415 m

Plant height min:

0.04 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lamium amplexicaule is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process optimized for temperate environments. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient uptake. Its vegetative morphology is defined by elliptic leaf forms, which exhibit significant dimensional variation. The leaves typically maintain a mean width of 1.3 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, while leaf length varies from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 2 cm. These dimensions result in a mean leaf size of 1.67 cm². Furthermore, the plant displays a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 197 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf thickness and resource allocation strategy regarding light interception and biomass density.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

2 cm

Leaf length min:

0.7 cm

Leaf size mean:

1.67 cm²

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.7 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

197 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lamium amplexium is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that facilitate efficient genetic exchange. The flowering period typically commences in April and extends through July, producing pink-colored flowers that range in length from 1.3 cm to a maximum of 2 cm. These flowers exhibit a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects, with bees serving as key pollinators. While self-fertilization is present, the plant's reproductive cycle concludes with the development of fruits that have a mean length of 0.2 cm. Each fruit is highly productive, containing between 101 and 1000 seeds. These seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.000578625 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.000491 g to a maximum of 0.000608 g. The dispersal of these seeds is classified as unspecialized, though they can also be spread via anthropochory. No asexual reproduction methods are present in this species.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flower length max:

2 cm

Flower length min:

1.3 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length mean:

0.2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.000608 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000578625 g

Seed mass min:

0.000491 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Lamium amplexicaule has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of cosmetic dermatology