Galeopsis Speciosa Annual Large-Flowered Hemp-Nettle
LARGE-FLOWERED HEMP-NETTLE
Galeopsis speciosa is undoubtedly the most beautiful of all our native hemp-nettles. The pale yellow, lipped flowers have an eyecatching purple spot. They appear on stems which may grow up to 39 in tall, especially if sheltered by wooded banks or the fringes of a wood, places where they like to grow. They also like acid, nutritive soil and, as a result of current agricultural methods, there is plenty of that about. Even so, the plant is only sporadically found to be growing wild.
Although the hemp-nettle is a genuine annual, its seed is sown in autumn, preferably in partial shade in moist, humus-rich soil. The seed is available from specialist suppliers only, as this is a wild flower which is not yet cultivated often enough.
The Galeopsis speciosa is a species of annual herbaceous plants in the family Lamiaceae. It is a widespread weed and is used as a medicinal herb.
