Galeopsis bifida aka Small Hemp Nettle

Galeopsis bifida belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is an annual and lives for just one year. Its English name is bifid hemp nettle. The RHS also lists its Welsh name as penboeth lleiaf. It is native to temperate parts of Europe and Asia. The RHS lists Britain and Ireland within its native range. It grows from northern Europe to the Mediterranean region. In Asia, records include Turkey and the Caucasus. They also include China, Korea and Japan. It grows on arable land and, at times, in woods. Its habitats also include fens and wet heaths.

The plant grows to about 3.3 feet (1 metre) tall. Plants For A Future lists its bloom time as July to September. Each flower has both male and female organs. The plant is self-fertile. This means it can breed without a second plant. It has a close link to Galeopsis tetrahit in plant classification. Some botanists have classed it as a subspecies of that plant. The RHS still lists its name status as unresolved. These views show doubt about its rank and identity.

When grown, it accepts a wide range of soils. It grows in sand, loam and clay, with no single preferred texture. It also copes with mildly acid or mildly alkaline soil. Neutral soil suits it too. Plants For A Future says moist soil suits it best. It can grow in full sun or part shade. It does not do well in deep shade. Suggested sites include planted beds and woodland garden edges. Dappled shade also fits its stated needs for growth. The source notes some use in wild gardens as well.

Growers can sow seeds straight into the ground outdoors in spring. Seeds tend to sprout within about one month of sowing. The seeds also yield an oil that dries once applied. One known use for this oil is to polish leather. This use does not make the plant a food crop. Plants For A Future gives it an edibility score of zero. It lists no known medicinal uses and warns of poisoning. The toxic effects it reports include paralysis. This warning is distinct from the seed oil's non-food use. The evidence does not show that any plant part is safe to eat.