Urticaceae - nettle family

Gerald A. Mulligan (Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, retired) 1600 Apeldoorn Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2C1V5 Urtica dioica L., stinging nettle, ortie dioïque It is a perennial herb, 1 to 9 feet (3 to 27 dm.) high. Spread is mainly by shallow creeping rhizomes. Its small, greenish, male and female flowers are in separate clusters on the same plant. It is found throughout our area. Plants growing along stream, river, and lake margins are probably native, whereas plants of roadsides, waste places, and near human habitations are probably introductions from other Continents. Hollow hairs on stems and on the lower surfaces of leaves will fracture easily when touched. This transforms them into sharp hypodermic-like needles that will puncture skin and release a mixture of formic acid and other chemicals that will cause intense pain in humans. This pain, fortunately, is usually of a short duration. Treated in various ways, plant parts are sometimes utilized to produce herbal medicines. Click on a photo to view an enlarged image. Weed Name Photo Weed Name Photo stinging nettle, ortie dioïque         stinging nettle, ortie dioïque          stinging nettle, ortie dioïque stinging nettle, ortie dioïque (inflorescence) stinging nettle, ortie dioïque (young plant showing stinging hairs)