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Urtica
Urtica
Urtica
Urtica
Urtica (Urtica)
Urtica are known for their small stinging hairs that inject irritating chemicals and cause a skin rash upon contact. Urtica have traditionally been used as a cooked green as well as in teas and ale. The fibers have also traditionally been used to make textiles, nets, and paper.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
info

Key Facts About Urtica

Attributes of Urtica

Leaf type
Deciduous

Scientific Classification of Urtica

distribution

Distribution of Urtica

Distribution Map of Urtica

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
habit
species

Exploring the Urtica Plants

8 most common species:
Urtica dioica
Stinging nettle
Although the stinging nettle has a variety of uses it is best known for its eponymous sting. It has sharp defensive hairs on its leaves and stems which will release pain-inducing chemicals when touched. Nevertheless, Dorset, England hosts an annual World Nettle Eating Championship, which started with a debate between two farmers over the severity of their nettle infestations. To consume them more safely, stinging nettles must be thoroughly boiled.
Urtica urens
Small Nettle
Small Nettle (Urtica urens) is a herbaceous annual flowering nettle known by many common names. Small Nettle is also called the dog nettle or burning nettle because it "bites" when touching (in the same way as stinging nettle). Small Nettle is native to the Eurasian continent. Butterfly species feed on this plant.
Urtica membranacea
Membranous nettle
Membranous nettle (Urtica membranacea) was one of Hippocrates' favorite healing herbs. The plant has a nasty sting for self defense but is edible when cooked. It tastes like spinach and is rich in vitamins and minerals. In the Bronze Age, the Danes wove fabric from nettle fibers, as did other Europeans in later centuries.
Urtica chamaedryoides
Heartleaf nettle
Nettles are known for their stinging hairs, and heartleaf nettle is no different. This flowering plant can cause an uncomfortable rash if you happen to brush up against it. It produces small green flowers that attract butterflies, and its fibers can be used to make clothes.
Urtica pilulifera
Roman nettle
Roman nettle is a flowering plant that is considered a weed in cultivated- and wasteland. Much like other nettle species, it has hairs on its leaves that cause skin irritation when touched. The plant is pollinated by wind, rather than insects.
Urtica ferox
Tree nettle
Tree nettle is a nettle species that happens to be one of New Zealand's most poisonous native plants. Unlike other herbaceous nettle species, it grows in the form of a large, woody shrub, sometimes forming extensive thickets. The leaves are sharply toothed and covered in spines that inject a toxin called triffydin upon contact.
Urtica cannabina
Hemp nettle
The Siberian hemp nettle grows as a perennial herbaceous plant and reaches stature heights of 50 to 150 cm. It forms woody rhizomes as Überdauerungsorgane. The long, branched stems are sparsely covered with bristle and burning hairs. The opposite arranged on the stem leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade.
Urtica thunbergiana
Biting cat
From summer to autumn, green-white male flowers and light green female flowers bloom. There are hairy thorns on the surface of the stem and leaves.

All Species of Urtica

Stinging nettle
Urtica dioica
Stinging nettle
Although the stinging nettle has a variety of uses it is best known for its eponymous sting. It has sharp defensive hairs on its leaves and stems which will release pain-inducing chemicals when touched. Nevertheless, Dorset, England hosts an annual World Nettle Eating Championship, which started with a debate between two farmers over the severity of their nettle infestations. To consume them more safely, stinging nettles must be thoroughly boiled.
Small Nettle
Urtica urens
Small Nettle
Small Nettle (Urtica urens) is a herbaceous annual flowering nettle known by many common names. Small Nettle is also called the dog nettle or burning nettle because it "bites" when touching (in the same way as stinging nettle). Small Nettle is native to the Eurasian continent. Butterfly species feed on this plant.
Membranous nettle
Urtica membranacea
Membranous nettle
Membranous nettle (Urtica membranacea) was one of Hippocrates' favorite healing herbs. The plant has a nasty sting for self defense but is edible when cooked. It tastes like spinach and is rich in vitamins and minerals. In the Bronze Age, the Danes wove fabric from nettle fibers, as did other Europeans in later centuries.
Heartleaf nettle
Urtica chamaedryoides
Heartleaf nettle
Nettles are known for their stinging hairs, and heartleaf nettle is no different. This flowering plant can cause an uncomfortable rash if you happen to brush up against it. It produces small green flowers that attract butterflies, and its fibers can be used to make clothes.
Roman nettle
Urtica pilulifera
Roman nettle
Roman nettle is a flowering plant that is considered a weed in cultivated- and wasteland. Much like other nettle species, it has hairs on its leaves that cause skin irritation when touched. The plant is pollinated by wind, rather than insects.
Tree nettle
Urtica ferox
Tree nettle
Tree nettle is a nettle species that happens to be one of New Zealand's most poisonous native plants. Unlike other herbaceous nettle species, it grows in the form of a large, woody shrub, sometimes forming extensive thickets. The leaves are sharply toothed and covered in spines that inject a toxin called triffydin upon contact.
Hemp nettle
Urtica cannabina
Hemp nettle
The Siberian hemp nettle grows as a perennial herbaceous plant and reaches stature heights of 50 to 150 cm. It forms woody rhizomes as Überdauerungsorgane. The long, branched stems are sparsely covered with bristle and burning hairs. The opposite arranged on the stem leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade.
Biting cat
Urtica thunbergiana
Biting cat
From summer to autumn, green-white male flowers and light green female flowers bloom. There are hairy thorns on the surface of the stem and leaves.
Urtica fissa
Urtica fissa
Urtica fissa
Urtica fissa is a monoecious plant, meaning it has the ability to self-pollinate. It is found in freshwater streams and rainforests, and is commonly cultivated as a garden herb.
Urtica dioica angustifolia
Urtica angustifolia
Urtica dioica angustifolia
Urtica dioica angustifolia is a perennial herbaceous plant with slim, toothed leaves and inconspicuous greenish flowers. Notable for its stinging hairs, it thrives in rich, moist soils often near waterways. This nettle species' slender form stands out in its habitat, and it can form dense colonies, aiding in its survival by crowding out competitors.
Urtica laetevirens
Urtica laetevirens
Urtica laetevirens
Beware the leaves of urtica laetevirens, which have stinging hairs that can cause skin irritation. However, this native Japanese and Chinese cultivar loses its sting when cooked, and it is a highly nutritious food plant commonly used in the same way as spinach, especially in soups and stews. The plant grows in moist forest environments, especially beside streams, ponds, and rivers.
Urtica hyperborea
Urtica hyperborea
Urtica hyperborea
Urtica hyperborea is a hardy perennial herb thriving in the cold, mountainous regions it's named after. Its stinging hairs deter herbivores, while the heart-shaped leaves and inconspicuous green flowers support survival in its challenging habitat. Adapted to short growing seasons, urtica hyperborea features a robust root system that anchors it against harsh alpine winds.
Urtica atrovirens
Urtica atrovirens
Urtica atrovirens
Urtica atrovirens, or dark green nettle, thrives in rich soil with partial shade, growing to a height of 1-2 meters. Its heart-shaped leaves, armed with stinging hairs, are a defense against herbivores. The small green flowers, often overlooked, cluster in dense inflorescences, which are significant indicators for species identification.
Mountain nettle
Urtica gracilenta
Mountain nettle
Mountain nettle is a perennial herb distinguished by its tall, slender stems and serrated, heart-shaped leaves. It belongs to the nettle family, notable for stinging hairs that can irritate skin upon contact. This species thrives in rich, moist soils, often in shaded woodlands or along streambanks. Its survival strategy includes spreading through rhizomes, thereby populating large areas and providing habitats for certain insects.
New zealand swamp nettle
Urtica perconfusa
New zealand swamp nettle
New zealand swamp nettle is a hardy perennial with a penchant for damp habitats, often flourishing along streams or in shady forest undergrowth. It bears heart-shaped leaves with a toothed margin and tiny, inconspicuous flowers. This plant’s defining feature is its stinging hairs, which can cause a skin reaction upon contact—an adaptation to deter grazers from its nutrient-rich foliage.
Urtica aspera
Urtica aspera
Urtica aspera
Urtica aspera is a herbaceous perennial with a stinging reputation, recognizable by its serrated, heart-shaped leaves and tiny, clustered flowers. The fine hairs on the foliage can inject irritants when touched. Thriving in nutrient-rich soil, urtica aspera tends to colonize disturbed sites, using its stinging defense to deter herbivores and dominate space.
Tall nettle
Urtica incisa
Tall nettle
Tall nettle is a perennial herb notable for its toothed, heart-shaped leaves with a jagged appearance that may sting when touched, as its hairs can inject irritants. It thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soils often found near streams. Tall nettle exhibits small, greenish flowers that cater to a modest array of pollinators, contributing to its survival in diverse ecosystems.
Southern nettle
Urtica australis
Southern nettle
Southern nettle is a hearty perennial herb thriving in cooler climates and well-drained soils. Its vibrant green leaves are covered with stinging hairs which can deter herbivores, yet are crowned with inconspicuous flowers that attract pollinators. Structurally robust, southern nettle often forms dense colonies, which are a testament to its aggressive survival strategy, leveraging both a stinging defense and prolific growth.
Sykes's bush nettle
Urtica sykesii
Sykes's bush nettle
Sykes's bush nettle is a hardy perennial herb known for its stinging hairs, which can cause irritation upon contact. It typically flourishes in nitrogen-rich soil, often indicating a fertile environment. Its jagged-edged leaves and small, greenish flowers cluster in inflorescences, adapting well to diverse conditions, from shaded woodlands to open fields.
popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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Key Facts
Distribution
All Species
More Genus
Urtica
Urtica
Urtica
Urtica
Urtica
Urtica
Urtica
Urtica
Urtica are known for their small stinging hairs that inject irritating chemicals and cause a skin rash upon contact. Urtica have traditionally been used as a cooked green as well as in teas and ale. The fibers have also traditionally been used to make textiles, nets, and paper.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
info

Key Facts About Urtica

Attributes of Urtica

Leaf type
Deciduous

Scientific Classification of Urtica

distribution

Distribution of Urtica

Distribution Map of Urtica

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
species

Exploring the Urtica Plants

8 most common species:
Urtica dioica
Stinging nettle
Although the stinging nettle has a variety of uses it is best known for its eponymous sting. It has sharp defensive hairs on its leaves and stems which will release pain-inducing chemicals when touched. Nevertheless, Dorset, England hosts an annual World Nettle Eating Championship, which started with a debate between two farmers over the severity of their nettle infestations. To consume them more safely, stinging nettles must be thoroughly boiled.
Urtica urens
Small Nettle
Small Nettle (Urtica urens) is a herbaceous annual flowering nettle known by many common names. Small Nettle is also called the dog nettle or burning nettle because it "bites" when touching (in the same way as stinging nettle). Small Nettle is native to the Eurasian continent. Butterfly species feed on this plant.
Urtica membranacea
Membranous nettle
Membranous nettle (Urtica membranacea) was one of Hippocrates' favorite healing herbs. The plant has a nasty sting for self defense but is edible when cooked. It tastes like spinach and is rich in vitamins and minerals. In the Bronze Age, the Danes wove fabric from nettle fibers, as did other Europeans in later centuries.
Urtica chamaedryoides
Heartleaf nettle
Nettles are known for their stinging hairs, and heartleaf nettle is no different. This flowering plant can cause an uncomfortable rash if you happen to brush up against it. It produces small green flowers that attract butterflies, and its fibers can be used to make clothes.
Show More Species

All Species of Urtica

popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
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17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
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Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
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Continue reading in our app - it's better
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unlimited guides at your fingertips...
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