Galeopsis tetrahit L.
Brittle-stem Hempnettle
Common hemp-nettle is an upright annual of the mint family, typically growing to around 60–100cm. Its bristly, square stem is conspicuously swollen below each pair of nettle-shaped (but stingless) leaves, a useful field character.
About
Common hemp-nettle is an upright annual of the mint family, typically growing to around 60–100cm. Its bristly, square stem is conspicuously swollen below each pair of nettle-shaped (but stingless) leaves, a useful field character. From July to September it bears whorls of small two-lipped flowers in the upper leaf axils, usually pale pink to purplish and patterned with darker markings on the lower lip, occasionally white.
A familiar plant of disturbed and cultivated ground across Britain, it turns up on arable margins, waste ground, woodland clearings, fen edges and damp open soils, thriving in full sun on fertile substrates. The flowers are visited by bumblebees and other long-tongued insects, while the seeds feed finches and other birds. As a fast-growing pioneer it has a place in cornfield annual and conservation mixes intended to support pollinators and seed-eating wildlife on cleared or recently worked soil.
Also known as
Brittlestem Hempnettle · Common Hemp-nettle · Hemp Nettle · Hemp-nettle · brittle-stemmed hemp-nettle
Synonyms
Galeopsis alpicola · Galeopsis beckii · Galeopsis crenatifolia · Galeopsis gacognei · Galeopsis glaucocerata · Galeopsis grandiflora · Galeopsis ionantha · Galeopsis lactiflora · Galeopsis laramberguei · Galeopsis leucantha
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.