Summary ²

Urtica dioica, often called common nettle, stinging nettle (although not all plants of this species sting) or nettle leaf, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. It is native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and western North America, and introduced elsewhere. The species is divided into six subspecies, five of which have many hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on the leaves and stems which act like hypodermic needles, injecting histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation upon contact.

Description ³

Family:
Urticaceae (Nettle)

Height:
1 to 6 feet

Leaves:
Leaves are opposite and elliptic in shape (up to 6” long), often folded lengthwise, with toothed margins and pointed tips. Leaf surfaces are deeply grooved. Undersides of leaves are covered in stinging hairs that cause skin irritation.

Flower:
Small, greenish-yellow, inconspicuous flowers hang from leaf axils in long, drooping clusters.

Bloom time:
May-September

Nicknames:
California Nettle

Habitat:
Stinging Nettle grows best in moist, nutrient rich soil, and can tolerate both shade and sun. It is commonly found in moist fields, open woods, along shores, and in thickets or wet ditches.

Wildlife Benefits:
Host plant for several species of caterpillars.

Can I plant this in my garden?
Stinging Nettle should not be planted - it is an extremely aggressive spreader, and its stinging hairs cause skin irritation for humans and pets alike. Management techniques for control include hand pulling whole plants (being sure to wear gloves and long sleeves), or cutting off the tops of plants before the flowers go to seed.

References:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/stinging-nettle
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/urtica-dioica/

Range ³

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, all rights reserved, uploaded by Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
2. Adapted by Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urtica_dioica
3. (c) Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

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