Red deadnettle, Ortiga roja

Description:

Herb up to 5–20 cm in height. The leaves have fine hairs, are green at the bottom and shade to purplish at the top; they are 2–4 cm long and broad, with a 1–2 cm petiole (leaf stalk), and wavy to serrated margins. The flowers are bright red-purple, with a top hood-like petal, two lower lip petal lobes and minute fang-like lobes between.They may be produced throughout the year, including mild weather in winter. This allows bees to gather its nectar for food when few other nectar sources are available. It is also a prominent source of pollen for bees in early spring, when bees need the pollen as protein to build up their nest. Though superficially similar to a nettle in appearance, it is not related and does not sting, hence the name "deadnettle".

Habitat:

Path border, pine tree forest. Spotted at La Pedriza, Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares, Sierra de Guadarrama.

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/500 sec. f/11; ISO Speed Rating: 400. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm.