Practical
Plants

Lamium amplexicaule

Henbit

an annual member of the Lamium genus in the family Labiatae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Lamium
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.25 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - raw or cooked[7][8][1]. Added to salads or used as a potherb[3].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is antirheumatic, diaphoretic, excitant, febrifuge, laxative and stimulant[4][6].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Stimulant

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa, W. Mediterranean and W. Asia.
Habitat
Cultivated soil, usually on light dry soils[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - this species usually self sows freely and should not require human intervention. When required, it can be sown in situ as soon as it is ripe or in spring. The seed can germinate at any time of the year in the wild if conditions are suitable[2].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Tolerates most soils and conditions. Prefers a light dry soil[2][7]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[5].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  4. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  5. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  6. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  7. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩1↩2

  8. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

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