Leaves

The leaves are 3-8cm long and 2-5cm wide, triangular with a rounded base, softly hairy, and with a serrated margin. The leaves appear superficially similar to those of the Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) but do not sting, hence the common name “dead-nettle”.

Flowers

The flowers are white, arranged in whorls on the upper part of the stem, the individual flowers 1.5-2.5cm long, and typical of Lamiaceae family flowers have 5 petals fused together in groups of 2 & 3, forming upper and lower “lips” leading to a funnel.

Seeds

Stem

The stems are softly hairy and square cross-sectioned.

Fruit

Taste

Quite bland really.

Frequency & law

Very common and not restricted.

Possible confusion

Stinging nettles are superficially similar, but have stinging hairs, and green flowers, but is also edible. Yellow deadnettles are also similar.

Habitat

Native to Europe and Asia. It was introduced to North America where it is naturalised now. Found in fields, hedgerows, woodland edges and clearings and moist waste ground.

How to harvest

Appears from February. It is in flower from May to December, and the seeds ripen from July to December. For medicinal applications the plant is harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use.

Cooking tips

Makes a useful potherb, or salad leaf.

Other uses

Folklore

A distillation of the flowers is reputed “to make the heart merry, to make a good colour in the face, and to make the vital spirits more fresh and lively".