Lamium purpureum - Red Dead-nettle - (Lamiaceae)

This low growing annual is very common in throughout the UK and Ireland. It blooms from March right through to October but is at its best in spring. It is often the first flower to come out, and we have even seen it as early as February in some warm years.

Red Dead-nettle is also common throughout northern and central Europen countries including Slovenia.

A bright patch of Red Dead-nettle

The leaves gradually acquire a purplish tinge.

A distinctive feature of this member of the mint family is the purple tinge to the upper leaves which have a pungent smell when crushed.

The plants on this page were photographed in West Wales in March.