Home > Herbs > Lamium Maculatum

Lamium gundelsheimeri

Lamium maculatum · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (5 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Lamium gundelsheimeri, scientifically known as Lamium maculatum, is a versatile perennial often called spotted deadnettle. Characterized by striking silvery foliage and delicate purple flowers, this plant is valued in traditional herbalism. It possesses soothing properties and is frequently utilized for its potential medicinal benefits in topical skin applications.

Family
Lamiaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Spotted Dead-Nettle · Spotted Henbit · 2 more
Scientific synonyms
Lamium Vulgatum Var. Rubrum · Lamium Maculatum Var. Grenieri · 77 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Lamium maculatum

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • ortiga muerta
  • Ortiga muerta manchada

German:

  • Gefleckte Taubnessel
  • gefleckte Taubnessel

French:

  • Lamier tacheté
  • lamier maculé
  • lamier maculé
  • lamier tacheté
  • Lamier tachete

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Lamiales
Family Lamiaceae
Genus Lamium

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence is well-documented in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found growing in the landscapes of Austria. It also inhabits parts of Belgium within this central European territory. Finally, the plant is distributed across the Czechia-Slovakia region, completing its wide range.

Region Area
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Ireland
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany
Middle Europe Hungary
Middle Europe Netherlands
Middle Europe Poland
Middle Europe Switzerland

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lamium maculatum is characterized by its ability to thrive across diverse and often transitional environments, ranging from stable forest interiors to more disturbed landscapes. It is frequently found within cut-over forests and established woodland ecosystems, where it utilizes the dappled light and rich organic matter found on the forest floor. This adaptability extends to varying elevations and geological features, as the species is documented in mountainous regions and in close proximity to rivers, where moisture levels are more consistent. Furthermore, its presence in sandy substrates indicates a tolerance for varied soil textures, allowing it to colonize a wide spectrum of habitats within its natural range.

Habitat :
cut-over forest, forest, mountains, rivers, sand

Life history

The life history of Lamium maculatum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, it maintains its perennuating buds at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or surface debris during unfavorable conditions. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it enters a period of dormancy, which is a key component of its seasonal survival strategy.

Deciduousness :
deciduous
Life form :
hemicryptophyte
Lifecycle :
perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lamium maculatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant typically grows to a height ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.375 m.

Aquatic :
terrestrial
Climber :
self-supporting
Epiphyte :
terrestrial
Growth form :
herb
Growth form :
forb
Parasite :
independent
Plant height max:
0.6 m
Plant height mean:
0.375 m
Plant height min:
0.15 m
Woodiness :
non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lamium maculatum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, the plant relies entirely on its root system and soil nutrients for sustenance rather than trapping prey. Its vegetative morphology is defined by a mean leaf size of 13.7144 cm², contributing to its overall canopy structure. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 316.2 cm²/g, a metric that reflects the structural investment of its leaf tissue and its capacity for light interception relative to its biomass.

Carnivory :
non-carnivorous
Leaf size mean:
13.7144 cm²
Photosynthetic pathway :
C3
Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:
316.2 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lamium maculatum is characterized by a biotic pollination process, specifically relying on an insect-driven syndrome where bees serve as the primary pollinators. This plant exhibits a seasonal flowering period that begins in April and continues through August. The reproductive strategy is strictly sexual, as both self-fertilization and asexual reproduction are absent. Following successful pollination, the plant utilizes an autochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning seeds are dispersed through autochory. These seeds are notably small, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.00167 g.

Dispersal syndrome :
autochorous
Flowering time :
Apr
Flowering time :
Aug
Pollination syndrome :
insect
Pollination syndrome :
bee
Pollination syndrome :
biotic
Reproduction asexual :
absent
Seed mass mean:
0.00167 g
Self fertilization :
absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lamium maculatum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Liriodendrin, Polypodine b, Quercitroside, uridine.

Chemicals reported in Lamium maculatum
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Liriodendrin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Polypodine b 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Quercitroside 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
uridine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Liriodendrin

  1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Polypodine b

  1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Quercitroside

  1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

uridine

  1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica