Lamium purpureum, commonly known as Dead Nettle, is usually classified as a winter annual. Young plants generally emerge following seed germination in the fall, live through the winter as seedlings, and grow and mature rapidly during early spring.

Dead Nettle tends to grow in patches and is easily recognized by its distinctive red or purple-green leaves that are densely clustered at or near the top of the stem. Leaves arise from upright four-sided stems that tend to extend above the turf canopy. Dead nettle is most conspicuous in April when it begins to produce pinkish-purple flowers.