Lamium is a genus of about 30 species of flowering herbs in the mint family (Lamiaceae), commonly known as dead-nettles. Despite the resemblance of their foliage to stinging nettles, plants in this genus lack stinging hairs and are entirely harmless to touch. Native across Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, dead-nettles are low-growing annuals or perennials with the square stems and two-lipped, whorled flowers typical of the mint family. Several species — notably spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum) and yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) — are widely cultivated as shade-tolerant ground covers, while others rank among the most familiar early-flowering weeds of cultivated ground.
Etymology
The genus name Lamium is generally traced to the Greek laimos (λαιμός), meaning "throat", a reference to the shape of the tubular, throated corolla. The common name "dead-nettle" distinguishes these plants from true nettles (Urtica): the leaves are superficially nettle-like but the plants are "dead" in the sense of lacking the stinging hairs that make nettles sting.
Distribution
Lamium is native to Europe, temperate Asia, and northern Africa. Several species — among them Lamium purpureum, Lamium amplexicaule, and Lamium album — have become widely naturalized across North America, Australia, and other temperate regions, where they grow as weeds of gardens, arable land, and disturbed ground.
Ecology
Dead-nettles are valuable early-season nectar and pollen sources. Because they flower very early in spring — and some, like Lamium purpureum and Lamium amplexicaule, almost year-round in mild climates — they provide forage when little else is in bloom. The two-lipped, tubular flowers are adapted to pollination by long-tongued bees, especially bumblebees, which can reach the nectar at the base of the corolla tube.
Cultivation
Ornamental dead-nettles, chiefly cultivars of Lamium maculatum, are grown as low, spreading ground covers for shade and woodland gardens. They thrive in moist but well-drained soil in partial to full shade, spreading by rooting stems to form mats. Popular silver-leaved cultivars include 'White Nancy' and 'Beacon Silver'. Lamium galeobdolon (yellow archangel) is also used as ground cover but can become invasive and is best sited where its spread can be contained.
Cultural Uses
The young leaves and shoots of several dead-nettles — including Lamium album and Lamium purpureum — are edible and have been used as a cooked pot-herb or in salads. Lamium album in particular has a history of use in herbal medicine and as a minor culinary green in parts of Europe.
