Yellow Archangel
Lamium galeobdolon
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Yellow archangel is the common name of Lamium galeobdolon. It also has other Latin names including Lamiastrum galeobolon, and Galeobdolon luteum. Lamiastrum means "resembling Lamium", referring to the similar-looking deadnettles. It is an herbaceous perennial plant that was once used as a low-growing ornamental but it escaped cultivation and become wild. This Eurasian native is a fast growing plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is known by many common names including Artillery plant, Yellow weasel-snout, Yellow Deaf Nettle, and Yellow Henbit. The plant is known to be an antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, styptic and vasoconstrictor. Once established, it is drought resistant.
Distinguishing Features
This plant slightly resembles the spotted dead nettle with the exception of the brilliant yellow flowers growing in a whorled formation. The stem is green to purplish.
Flowers
Flowers occur in whorls of 4 to 10 at the top of the plant and at leaf axils in the upper half of the stem. Individual flowers measure 2 to 3 cm (3/4 to 1") long, light lemon yellow, irregular with 2 lips at the end of a tube. The broad upper lip is rounded like a hood, densely covered in short hairs and fringed with longer hairs all around the edge. The lower lip has 3 spreading lobes all about the same size, the center lobe is streaked with darker orange-yellow. It has four stamens, two short and two long, the long ones arch inside the upper lip. The calyx surrounding the base of the flower is about as long as the floral tube.
Leaves
Elliptical to triangular leaves grow opposite, have coarsely toothed edges, an acute tip and are covered with fine hairs. They are medium to dark green but cultivated forms are variegated with silver markings. (Although some escapes in the wild also have the silver markings.) The lower surface is green or purple. Leaves measure (1 to 3 1/2") long, and up to (2 1/2") wide. They are hairy, coarsely toothed with rounded or pointed teeth, generally egg-shaped, straight across to heart-shaped at the base, blunt to pointed at the tip,
Height
This plant grows anywhere from 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16"). Stems are erect, square, hairy especially along the angles and on the lower stem.
Habitat
This plant prefers shady sites such as forested areas and grows in a dense mat. Native to Europe and Asia, Yellow Archangel was introduced to Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South American and North America.
Edible Parts
Young leaves and shoots are edible once cooked. Young (cooked) flowers can be consumed as well.
Other Name
Yellow Henbit.
Similar Plants
Spotted Deadnettle.
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