Henbit

Discuss this plant with the guide — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

Lamium amplexicaule

Common introduced weed · not on state Lists A/B/C. C-floristic-2020 CO-rules-2025

An early-flowering weed with useful nectar. Exposure help.

Identification caveat: Henbit differs from purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum), whose upper leaves have stalks. Neither common name establishes a relationship to stinging nettles.

Still researching this plant

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for People, Dogs & cats, Other animals. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.

Three views of this plant

Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence.

Lamium amplexicaule: Several long purple tubular flowers rising from a whorl of rounded clasping leaves. — **flowers** — Several long purple tubular flowers rising from a whorl of rounded clasping leaves.
Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM · CC0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Identification follows the source species. Clasping upper leaves and long tubular flowers are visible, but other Lamium species should still be compared using a botanical key.
Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

Lamium amplexicaule: Two open pink-purple tubular flowers with spotted lower lips above a leafy whorl. — **flower detail** — Two open pink-purple tubular flowers with spotted lower lips above a leafy whorl.
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Identification follows the source species. Clasping upper leaves and long tubular flowers are visible, but other Lamium species should still be compared using a botanical key.
Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

Lamium amplexicaule: Rounded, scalloped upper leaves clasping stems around clusters of buds and small flowers. — **leaves and buds** — Rounded, scalloped upper leaves clasping stems around clusters of buds and small flowers.
Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM · CC0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Identification follows the source species. Clasping upper leaves and long tubular flowers are visible, but other Lamium species should still be compared using a botanical key.
Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

Identification

A cool-season annual with square stems, rounded scalloped leaves and tubular purple-pink flowers. Upper leaves clasp the stem; lower leaves have stalks. N-lamium-amplexicaule

People

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for people. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

Dogs & cats

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for dogs or cats. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

Other animals

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for livestock. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

Plants & habitat

It can spread in moist disturbed soil by seed and rooting stems. Its early flowers supply nectar and pollen to bees. N-lamium-amplexicaule

Management & timing

Where unwanted, remove young plants and rooting stems before seed production. The shallow root system and annual life cycle make seed prevention useful. N-lamium-amplexicaule

Evidence scope: Management inference from life cycle.

Before taking action

Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. S27

References

C-floristic-2020 — Colorado Floristic Quality Assessment: 2020 Update, Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:27:33+00:00. Locator: Appendix B, Colorado species list: scientific name and native/non-native fields.
CO-rules-2025 — Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2, Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025.
N-lamium-amplexicaule — Lamium amplexicaule, NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:23:12+00:00. Locator: Description, identification attributes and plant problems; toxicity section where present.
S27 — 2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds, PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories.

Content revised 2026-09-07 02:46:00Z · Source checks dated separately in the references.