Red hemp-nettle  (Galeopsis angustifolia)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

Formerly widespread throughout lowland England, Wales and eastern Scotland, this plant suffered a severe decline in range after 1930 (5). It is now scarce in Great Britain, and mainly occurs in central southern England (5). This species is considered by some to be a native in some parts of Britain where it occurs in natural habitats such as coastal shingle or limestone screes, and by others as an ancient introduction (5). It is rare in north-western Europe, and also occurs in central, western and southern Europe, reaching east to Bulgaria and Poland (3).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

Once a locally common weed of arable land, it is now rarely seen. It occurs on roadsides, tracks, waste ground, spoil heaps, limestone scree and limestone pavements, and occasionally grows on sand and shingle on the coasts of southern England and Wales (3) (5). The species shows a preference for sunny locations with fairly open vegetation and free-draining calcareous soils (3) (5).

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