712 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



lower round and palmately lobed, the upper crenate at the base, 3-cleft; 

 flowers pale purple in close axillary whorls ; corolla bearded. 



Distribution. Native to Europe, widely naturalized in the northern states. 



Injurious properties. The stiff bristles of the calyx are often injurious, 

 producing mechanical injuries. It contains a volatile oil with an unpleasant 

 odor, a bitter principle, etc. 



Lamium L. Dead Nettle 



Decumbent herbs; leaves usually cordate, doubly toothed; flowers small, 

 axillary and terminal clusters ; calyx tubular ; 5-toothed, the teeth nearly equal, 

 the upper ones larger; corolla dilated at the throat, upper lip ovate or oblong 

 arched, narrowed at the base, the middle lower lip spreading, the lobe notched 

 at the apex ; stamens 4, small ; the anthers nearly in pairs, nutlets truncate. 

 About 40 species in the old world; some troublesome weeds like L ample xicaule. 



Lamium amplexicaule L. Dead Nettle 



An annual or biennial herb with rounded, deeply toothed, crenate leaves ; 

 the upper leaves small, clasping; calyx tubular, 5-toothed; flowers small; corolla 

 purple, upper lip bearded, the lower spotted. The L. album is perennial, has 

 larger flowers, and has slender calyx teeth. 



Distribution. Common in the eastern states to Missouri. The L. album 

 escaped and not infrequent westward. 



Injurious properties. The dead nettle is regarded as injurious. 



Fig. 411. Dead Nettle 

 (Lamium, album), fre- 

 quently escaped from cul- 

 tivation. (Ada Hayden). 



Fig. 412. Dead Nettle (Lamium 

 amplexicaule). Regarded as poison- 

 ous. (Selby). 



