stinging nettle

Stinging nettle – Urtica dioica

Urtica dioica L.

Urticaceae (Nettle family)

MI Status

Native

Life cycle

Erect, rhizomatous perennial.

Leaves

Opposite, egg- to lance-shaped with a rounded base and pointed tip. Petiolated leaves have coarsely toothed margins, smooth surfaces to a few hairs beneath and long, stinging hairs on the lower surface. Contact with stinging hairs can cause a skin irritation.

Stems

Four-angled, herbaceous stems are usually erect and unbranched, up to 6 feet tall and covered with stinging hairs. Contact with stinging hairs can cause a skin irritation.

Flowers and fruit

Inconspicuous, green to yellow flowers are formed in clusters in the upper leaf axils. The seed is enclosed in a single-seeded, tan, egg-shaped fruit.

Reproduction

Seeds and rhizomes that form extensive colonies.

Stinging nettle foliage flowers
Stinging nettle foliage & flowers
Hair on stem of stinging nettle
Hair on stem of stinging nettle
Stinging nettle leaf
Stinging nettle leaf
Stinging nettle seedling
Stinging nettle seedling
Stinging nettle stem
Stinging nettle stem

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