White Dead-nettle

Lamium album — Lamiaceae

Italiano: Falsa ortica — Ortiga falsa

Description

White Dead-nettle (Lamium album) belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is native to Europe. It thrives in Woods, Damp fields, Gardens environments across regions including Italy, France, Germany, UK, Scandinavia. Botanically, White Dead-nettle is looks like nettle but no sting. Leaves soup sauteed.. It is also known locally as Ortiga falsa. The edible parts include Leaves, Flowers. With an edibility rating of 6/10, it ranks as a good wild food source. Harvesting is best done during April, June, March and May. Nutritionally, White Dead-nettle stands out for its Vitamin K (40.0mg, 33% DV), Calcium (120.0mg, 9% DV) and Vitamin C (8.0mg, 9% DV). It also provides 1.5g protein and 1.8g dietary fiber per 100g serving. In the kitchen, White Dead-nettle offers a Mild sweet herbaceous flavor profile. Sauteed soup salad. Common culinary applications include soup, sauteed, salad. Popular preparations include False nettle soup, Sauteed greens with garlic, Wild green pesto, Leafy green soup. For storage, fresh 2d. Safety note: No toxicity. Antinutrient content is no significant. Safe lookalike species include Nettle with sting. Always verify identification with at least three independent botanical sources before consumption.

🌿 Foraging Tips

Where to find: Grows in Woods, Damp fields, Gardens across Italy, France, Germany, UK, Scandinavia.

🍳 Recipe: False nettle soup

Preparation method: Sauteed soup salad
Flavor profile: Mild sweet herbaceous
Edible parts: Leaves, Flowers

This is one of the traditional ways to prepare this wild edible plant. Always ensure proper plant identification before cooking.

When to harvest: Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun.
Lookalike (safe): Nettle with sting
⚠️ Lookalike (toxic): No poisonous Urtica stings not poisonous
Tip: Always verify identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. When in doubt, do not eat it.

Edibility

6/10
Toxicity: No toxicity
Antinutrients: No significant
Safe lookalikes: Nettle with sting
Dangerous: No poisonous Urtica stings not poisonous

Harvest Calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Edible parts: Leaves, Flowers
Preparation: Sauteed soup salad
Flavor: Mild sweet herbaceous

Nutrition (per 100g)

Protein: 1.5g
Fat: 0.2g
Fiber: 1.8g
Vitamin C: 8.0mg (8%DV)
Vitamin A: 60mcg (6%DV)
Vitamin E: 0.4mg (2%DV)
Vitamin K: 40mcg (33%DV)
Folate (B9): 8mcg (2%DV)
Calcium: 120.0mg (9%DV)
Iron: 1.0mg (5%DV)
Magnesium: 18mg (4%DV)
Potassium: 160mg (3%DV)
Zinc: 0.3mg (2%DV)

Culinary Uses: soup, sauteed, salad Storage: Fresh 2d

Recipes

  • False nettle soup
  • Sauteed greens with garlic
  • Wild green pesto
  • Leafy green soup
  • Wild winter pesto made from White Dead-nettle
  • Traditional White Dead-nettle soup
  • White Dead-nettle and potato frittata

Where It Grows

Continent: Europe
Regions: Italy, France, Germany, UK, Scandinavia
Habitat: Woods, Damp fields, Gardens
⚠️
Important: Always verify plant identification before consumption. This content is for informational purposes only. Consult reliable sources and experts before eating any wild plant. Improper identification can be dangerous.

Related Plants

🌿 Black Locust🌿 Blackberry🌿 Blackthorn

Sources & References

Kew Plants of the World USDA PLANTS Wikipedia (EN)