Lamium galeobdolon

Yellow archangel
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Lamium
Species:
L. galeobdolon
Binomial name
Lamium galeobdolon
(L.) L.[1]
Synonyms[2]
Homotypic synonyms
    • Neckeria galeobdolon (L.) Forsyth f.
    • Galeobdolon galeobdolon (L.) H.Karst.
    • Galeopsis galeobdolon L.
    • Lamiastrum galeobdolon (L.) Ehrend. & Polatschek
    • Leonurus galeobdolon (L.) Scop.
    • Pollichia galeobdolon (L.) Schrank

Lamium galeobdolon, commonly known as yellow archangel, golden dead-nettle, artillery plant, aluminium plant, or yellow weasel-snout,[3] is a widespread wildflower in Europe, and has been introduced elsewhere as a garden plant. It displays the zygomorphic flower morphology, opposite leaves, and square stems typical of the mint family, Lamiaceae. The flowers are soft yellow and borne in axial clusters, with a prominent 'hood' (the dorsal lobe of the corolla). It spreads easily and so has been commonly used as an ornamental ground cover. It can be invasive in places where it is not native and caution must be taken when planting in these areas.[4]

Description

Yellow archangel is a large-leaved perennial plant with underground runners growing to a height of about 40 to 80 cm (16 to 31 in). The paired opposite leaves are stalked, broadly ovate with a cordate base and toothed margin. The underside of the leaves often appears purplish. The flowers grow in whorls in a terminal spike. The calyx is five-lobed. The corolla is yellow, 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1.0 in) long, the petals fused with a long tube and two lips. The upper lip is hooded and the lower lip has three similar-sized lobes with the central one being triangular and often streaked with orange. There are two short stamens and two long ones. The carpels are fused and the fruit is a four-chambered schizocarp.[5]

Taxonomy

Lamium galeobdolon was first described as Galeopsis galeobdolon by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753.[6] Linnaeus himself placed Galeopsis galeobdolon in the genus Lamium in 1759, and therefore the correct name of the species is Lamium galeobdolon (L.) L.[1][7] Plants of the World Online recognizes four subspecies:[2]

  • Lamium galeobdolon subsp. argentatum (Smejkal) J.Duvign.
  • Lamium galeobdolon subsp. flavidum (F.Herm.) Á.Löve & D.Löve
  • Lamium galeobdolon subsp. galeobdolon
  • Lamium galeobdolon subsp. montanum (Pers.) Hayek

Some authors recognize the subspecies at species rank,[8] while others segregate the taxa into other genera (either Galeobdolon or Lamiastrum). Most North American authors recognize a single comprehensive species.[9][10]

There are a number of closely related taxa that hybridize with L. galeobdolon and in some cases are not unequivocally accepted as distinct species but considered subspecies or varieties by many authors.[citation needed] Most well known among these is variegated yellow archangel (subsp. argentatum), whose leaves often have variegation, showing as silver patches arranged as a wide semicircle. This, and in particular its large-flowered and even stronger-marked cultivar 'Variegatum', is the taxon most often met with as a garden escapee.

Distribution

It is native to Europe, and found through Europe and Western Asia.[11]

An introduced species in the United States, Washington state has declared it a "noxious weed" and banned its sale.[12]

Gallery

  • Botanical description by Johann Georg Sturm 1796
    Botanical description by Johann Georg Sturm 1796
  • Flower
    Flower
  • Leaf variegation
    Leaf variegation
  • Small cluster
    Small cluster
  • In forest
    In forest

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lamium galeobdolon.
  1. ^ a b "Lamium galeobdolon (L.) L.". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Lamium galeobdolon (L.) L.". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  3. ^ Lees, Edwin (1852). The Botany of Malvern Hills, in the counties of Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester. London: David Bogue. p. 61.
  4. ^ "Aluminium Plant". Biosecurity New Zealand. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  5. ^ "Yellow archangel: Lamium galeobdolon". NatureGate. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  6. ^ "Galeopsis galeobdolon L.". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  7. ^ Mennema (1989), p. 41.
  8. ^ Meyer, Thomas. "Taubnesselarten mit gelber Krone" [Deadnettle species with yellow crown]. Flora-de: Flora of Germany (in German). Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  9. ^ Weakley, Alan S.; Southeastern Flora Team (2024). "Lamium galeobdolon (Linnaeus) Linnaeus". Flora of the southeastern United States. University of North Carolina Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Lamium galeobdolon (Linnaeus) Linnaeus". Canadensys. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Lamium galeobdolon - yellow archangel". Royal Horticultural Society.
  12. ^ "Yellow archangel". www.kingcounty.gov. King County, Washington local administration.

Bibliography