spotted deadnettle
(Lamium maculatum L.)

Overview

Appearance

Lamium maculatum is a medium-sized, semi-evergreen, herbaceous perennial. It is a groundcover that matures at about 10 in. (25.4 cm) tall by 1.5 ft. (0.46 m) wide.

Foliage

Spotted deadnettle is a light green that the leaves are opposite, ovate, and crenate entire plant slowly dies back to the crown during late Autumn and early Winter (evergreen in Southern climates).

Flowers

This plant’s color is a pink, dark lavender, or white, depending upon cultivar. The flowering appears heavily in May and June and sporadically thereafter, sometimes with a minor flush in early Autumn. Numerous clusters of small flowers occur at each node and the stem terminals.

Fruit

The fruit is a brown color and ornamentally inconspicuous.

Ecological Threat

Lamium maculatum can form a dense mound that overtakes ground area. It is native to Eurasia.

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
• Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council - Watch List
• National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References