# henbit deadnettle (*Lamium amplexicaule*) Henbit deadnettle is a pretty little plant with purple flowers that bloom in spring. It grows close to the ground and can be found in gardens and fields, making it a cheerful sight for everyone! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 31 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![henbit deadnettle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lamium_amplexicaule_plant.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lamium_amplexicaule_plant.jpg) ## Appearance The henbit deadnettle has distinct square stems and round to heart-shaped leaves that directly clasp the stem, particularly the upper ones. Its small, tubular, purplish-pink flowers are arranged in whorls around the stem in the leaf axils. It often forms low, sprawling mats of green foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Lamiaceae - **Genus:** Lamium ## Interesting facts - Henbit flowers look like tiny snapdragon faces peeking out! - It's one of the first wild edibles to forage in early spring! - Its square stems are unique; try rolling one between your fingers! - The plant's name 'henbit' comes from chickens loving to eat its leaves! ## Special abilities - **Early Bird Nectar:** Henbit deadnettle can bloom very early, providing vital nectar for hungry pollinators when few other flowers are available. - **Self-Seeding Master:** Henbit deadnettle has hidden flowers that self-pollinate, ensuring it can always produce seeds even without insect visitors. - **Cold Weather Grower:** Henbit deadnettle can sprout and grow in cool weather, thriving as a winter annual when many other plants are dormant. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-30 cm - **Spread:** 15-45 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late_winter_to_late_spring - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Annual - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** common eastern bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — visits flowers for nectar - **Eats:** [human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — leaves and flowers are edible - **Eats:** grey field slug (*Deroceras reticulatum*) — grazes on foliage ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's safe to look at and touch, but don't eat any plants without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify henbit deadnettle? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is henbit deadnettle? 10-30 cm ### How wide does henbit deadnettle spread? 15-45 cm ### How big are the flowers on henbit deadnettle? 0.5-1.5 cm ### When does henbit deadnettle bloom? Late_winter_to_late_spring ### Is henbit deadnettle edible? Yes ### Is henbit deadnettle toxic? None ### What is henbit deadnettle's lifecycle? Annual ## Where to spot - [Bellefontaine Cemetery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellefontaine-cemetery) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Lock and Dam No. 21](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lock-and-dam-no-21) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Rolling Hills Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rolling-hills-zoo) — Kansas, US · Zoo - [Attalla Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/attalla-downtown-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Ave Maria Grotto](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ave-maria-grotto) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Birch Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birch-aquarium-california) — California, US · Aquarium [View all places to see henbit deadnettle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/henbit-deadnettle) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Henbit Deadnettle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/henbit-deadnettle)