Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica
| Common Name: | Stinging nettle (Tall nettle, Slender nettle) |
| Scientific Name: | Urtica dioica |
| Family: | Urticaceae |
| Growth Form: | Herb |
| Native Range: | Northern Europe and |
| Invasive Range: | Throughout the |
| Introduction: | Brought by settlers as a medicinal plant. The stinging nettle reproduces both by seed and rhizome, it can spread up to 2.5 m (8 ft.) per year. |
| Description: | ·Leaves: Opposite, deeply toothed, simple, egg-shaped or lanceolate, occasionally with heart-shaped bases, tip points sharply. 5-15 cm (2-6 in) long. Stinging hairs and shorter bristled hairs found on underside.
·Stem: Erect. Green. 4 sides, ridged at angles. Covered in stinging hairs. Bristled hairs may or may not be present. Can grow up to 2 m (6 ft.) tall. ·Flowers: Present from May to October. Small, greenish-yellow. Densely clustered from leaf axils. Male and female clusters can be found on same plant. ·Fruit: White or brown oval shaped achene, 1-1.5 mm long. Single seed enclosed within. |
| Threats: | The stinging nettle is considered a weed. It produces a large amount of seed and is difficult to eradicate. |
| Fun Facts: | The spines of the stinging nettle contain histamine and formic acid. As a result, they normally cause pain upon contact with human flesh. But, when they touch tissue that is already in pain, these chemicals act as a counterirritant, reducing discomfort. The juice of the stinging nettle is used to treat insect bites and, ironically, nettle stings. |
Plant (note the gloves worn to prevent stings)
Leaves