This native perennial grows up to 5 feet tall. The stems and leaves lack the stinging hairs of the other nettles. The leaves are oval-shaped and on long stalks opposite on the stem (B). The male and female flowers are on separate spikes. The very small greenish male flowers are arranged on erect, interrupted spikes like a string of beads (B). The female flowers are usually on continuous spikes, often terminated by clusters of leaves (A). Identified by the lack of stinging hairs and by the flower clusters arranged like a string of beads.