Purple Dead-Nettle

[Bunnylady]

There are some major differences between the Lamiums and the ground ivy. Both Lamium species are upright annuals; the ground ivy is a creeping perennial. Both of the Lamiums will die off and cease to be a concern within the next few weeks; ground ivy is a pungent, obnoxious nuisance with wiry stems and year-round ambitions to take over the world. Lamium may have a reputation for being good for respiratory allergies, but ground ivy triggers them - when I mow areas of my lawn that are infested with the stuff, the smell claws at my throat and makes me wheeze. Do you think maybe I have something against ground ivy?

 

[Pastor Dave]

Here is what I have. I see more of a mint shaped leaf, but I could be wrong.

What says thee?

 

[Bunnylady]

Oh, no doubt about it, that's Lamium purpureum.

 

[norseofcourse]

Stinging nettle is supposed to be edible, after being cooked. I have not tried it. I did use it as a dye plant, I don't remember what color we got, it was either green or yellow.

 

[Sheepshape]

Norseofcourse.....stinging nettles (young) make a lovely soup, full of anti-oxidants.

I have that purple dead nettle (Lamium, so I have learnt)....nobody eats it.

The white dead nettle (Lamium album) and the yellow dead nettle (Lamium galeobdolon.....'Yellow Archangel') are very popular with the sheep.

There's a

lot of the yellow variety right now as ground cover ...unless the sheep have been in the garden

 

[Pastor Dave]

I'll try the purple I have here, and @Sheepshape, you try the yellow. Then we will compare notes. Lol
If the sheep like the yellow, maybe my rabbits would try the purple.
Does the yellow smell as bad as the purple?

 

[Sheepshape]

The yellow has a pleasant, slightly sweet smell,Pastor Dave. I'm game for tasting the yellow, just as long as you take a good chomp at the stinking purple!

 

[Pastor Dave]

I'll get back with ya