STINGING NETTLE
Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis
NETTLE FAMILY (Urticaceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - July to September
- Common in moist floodplain woods and ravines at FF & NW
- Opposite leaves
- Branched, drooping flower clusters
- See comments for comparison with other nettle species
This native perennial grows to be an erect plant of 6 feet or more. The square stem and leaves are covered with stinging hairs which break off when touched releasing an irritating histamine-like substance. Lance-shaped, sharply toothed leaves are on long stalks and opposite on the stems (A,B). The tiny green flowers are on branching, closely packed (A) or looser, more linear clusters (C,D) arising from the upper leaf axils. Male (E) and female flowers are separate, sometimes occuring on separate plants but most often in individual clusters on the same plant.
Found in ravines and other moist areas, flowering from July through September. Common in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods in moist openings in the floodplain, ravines and hollows.
Opposite leaves separate Stinging Nettle from Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) which has alternate leaves. Wood Nettle also has very different flower arrangement with separate female flowers lying well above the males on the same plant. False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) has no stinging hairs and has flower clusters on erect spikes unlike the drooping, branched clusters of Stinging Nettle. Both have similar opposite leaves and are not easily separated when not flowering.
Dinsmore indicates local Native Americans used the fiber from this plant to make twine and cordage. Rope from this fiber was used to hobble horses. If boiled first, young nettle leaves are edible. Leaves reportedly have a high protein content and are rich in vitamins and minerals.
Our Stinging Nettles belong to the subspecies gracilis which is a native of North America. Subspecies dioica, which is well estabished in areas particularly to the east of Nebraska is native to Eurasia where it has a long history culinary and medical use.
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