Galeopsis speciosa Mill.
Bee Hemp-Nettle
Large-flowered hemp-nettle is a tall, coarsely hairy annual in the mint family, reaching up to about a metre on a square, bristly stem that is noticeably swollen at the leaf joints. Its paired leaves are nettle-like but do not sting, and from midsummer into early autumn it carries showy two-lipped blooms, soft pale yellow with a bold violet or purple blotch on the lower lip, the largest flowers of any British hemp-nettle.
About
Large-flowered hemp-nettle is a tall, coarsely hairy annual in the mint family, reaching up to about a metre on a square, bristly stem that is noticeably swollen at the leaf joints. Its paired leaves are nettle-like but do not sting, and from midsummer into early autumn it carries showy two-lipped blooms, soft pale yellow with a bold violet or purple blotch on the lower lip, the largest flowers of any British hemp-nettle.
Native to northern and central Europe, it has long grown in Britain as a plant of cultivated and disturbed ground, favouring damp, fertile clay and peaty soils in open, sunny situations such as field margins, root-crop fields and waste places. Once a widespread arable weed, it has declined sharply and is now decidedly local. The nectar-rich flowers are worked by long-tongued bumblebees, and it suits informal cornfield or conservation seed mixes aimed at scarcer arable wildflowers.
Also known as
Edmonton hempnettle · Large Hemp-Nettle · Large-flowered Hemp-nettle · large-flower hemp-nettle
Synonyms
Galeopsis boraei · Galeopsis cannabina · Galeopsis crenifrons · Galeopsis flavescens · Galeopsis grandiflora · Galeopsis hispida · Galeopsis leiotricha · Galeopsis prostrata · Galeopsis pubescens · Galeopsis speciosa alba · Galeopsis speciosa purpurea
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.