Similar in many ways to Lamium purpureum or Red Dead-Nettle, this is an early flowering annual which blooms from March to October. It's not quite as downy as its relative and, as can be guessed from its common name, the opposite, short-stalked leaves of this plant are far more deeply cut than those of Red Dead-Nettle. The pink-purple flowers (10-20mm long)are borne in whorls, emerging from the heart-shaped, deeply indented leaves and they often have a corolla-tube which is shorter than the calyx. Growing to about 30cm high, this is a plant which is found on waste, disturbed and arable land – often growing with Lamium purpureum - it is a possible introduction to Ireland and it belongs to the family Lamiaceae.
I first identified this plant growing in my garden at Gibletstown, Co Wexford in March, 2009 where I photographed it.
If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre
