Take note of the several species that can be confused with Stinging Nettle. There are several different species found in many areas that can be easily mistaken for Stinging Nettle. Several of these are in the Urticaceae family, others are not. Distinguish from False Nettle Boehmeria cylindrica. False nettle has finer toothed margins of the leaves, and the leaves themselves tend to be a little more bigger at the base. The stems of each flower cluster are erect and angle upward from the stem, unlike stinging nettle which are droopy.
There are no stinging hairs on any part of this plant. This is despite the fine hairs found on the leaves and stems. Distinguish from Horse balm Collinsonia canadensis. This plant is a part of the Mint family Lamiaceae. The plant grows to be about 2 feet 0. The leaves are serrated and oval, and large.
It has a noticeable citronella-like odor. Flowers are in branched, terminal spikes, tubular in shape, and whitish yellow to yellow. Distinguish from White Snakeroot Eupatorium rugosum or Ageratina altissima. This plant is a member of the sunflower family Asteraceae , therefore does not have stinging hairs. This plant is relatively shorter than stinging nettle, growing around 1. Stems are light green to tan, and usually hairless.
Leaves are larger than stinging nettle, about 5 inches 13 cm long and about 3. Leaf size decreases as they ascend the stem. They are typically darker green on top light below. Leaves have serrated edges, and heart-shaped near the bottom, and lance-shaped closer to the top. Flowers are white and divided into branching clusters primarily top of the plant, though some flowers also branch out from the base of the leaf.
Distinguish from Hemp Nettle Galeopsis tetrahit. Hemp nettle, in some areas, can be easily confused with stinging nettle because it often grows in the same conditions, and is found in very similar locations as stinging nettle.
However, this plant is introduced from Europe, and does it not typically have stinging hairs like the true nettle. Hemp nettle is also a part of Family Lamiaceae , not Urticaceae. Hemp nettle grows shorter than stinging nettle and also has bristly hairs on the stems and leaves. It also has typically wider leaves though shape ranges from oval to lance-shaped , and has pink, white, or variegated flowers growing from the base of the leaf. The plant itself tends to be a little darker green than stinging nettle.
This species is an annual that grows from seed spread from pre-existing hemp nettles, or deposited by animals, and human activity. Hemp nettle has been deemed a noxious weed in some parts of North America.
Distinguish from White Deadnettle Lamium album. A member of the Mint family Lamiaceae this perennial is native to Europe and introduced to North America. It is typically shorter than stinging nettle, growing only from around 1.
The leaves are arranged opposite to the stem, and both leaves and stems are covered in bristly hairs. Leaves are heart-shaped and oval, with larger tooth margins than that with stinging nettle. Flowers are noticeable, white, and arranged in a whorl at the axils of the leaves at the stem.
Distinguish from Wood Nettle Laportea canadensis. This plant also contains stinging properties like Stinging Nettle , and is in the same family Urticaceae.
Plants are generally shorter than stinging nettle, reaching only 4 feet 1. However, wood nettle is distinguished by its larger and wider leaves. These leaves are generally 6 inches 15 cm long and about 4 inches 10 cm wide. They appear almost egg-shaped or oval, though like stinging nettle has a sharp tip and is serrated at the edges.
Leaves have a wrinkled appearance, especially at emergence; this becomes less so as the leaves reach maturity. Leaves are alternate along the stem, unlike stinging nettle which has opposite leaf arrangement. Flower clusters are droopy like stinging nettle, but they are born on cymes branching flower clusters at the top of the plant.
Male flowers are borne from the axils of the leaves, whereas female flowers are at the top of the plant.
Wood nettle will have branching flower clusters at the top of the plant, unlike stinging nettle. Distinguish from Northern Bugleweed Lycopus uniflorus.
This plant is distinguished from stinging nettle by its shorter height 1 foot 0. The leaves are smaller, ranging from 1. They are elliptic to broadly-elliptic in shape, and coarsely toothed, with 5 to 7 teeth along each leaf edge. Flowers are tiny, white, with 4 to 5 tiny lobes, and somewhat tubular. Thin catkins of tiny green flowers grow from the leaf axils.
Nettles generally appear in the same locations every year. They thrive in rich soil, moist woodlands, thickets, disturbed areas, along partially shaded trails and riversides. Leaves, stems and roots are edible. Young leaves are preferable however, no matter how far into the growing season be sure to remember that until dried or cooked, stinging nettle leaves will have those stinging hairs — never eat them raw!
Nettles make an excellent spinach substitute and can also be added to soups and stews. Nettle beer is brewed from the young shoots. Nettle root is used for medicinal purposes including enlarged prostate and when there is difficulty in urination due to BPH.
Nettle tea made from the root can help urinary ailments. Tea made from the leaves is rich in iron and can aid coagulation and the formation of hemoglobin. To support our efforts please browse our store books with medicinal info, etc. Some wild plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects. We are not health professionals, medical doctors, nor are we nutritionists. It is up to the reader to verify nutritional information and health benefits with qualified professionals for all edible plants listed in this web site.
Please click here for more information. Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica. The leaves are opposite along the stem. Long clusters of tiny male or female flowers are produced at the base of each pair of leaves. They are usually light green or tan, and are apt to look rather messy and tangled. Nettles have both ordinary and stinging hairs on stems, leaf petioles stem part of a leaf and undersides of the leaves. Stinging hairs are longer, about 1 millimeter long, and tend to stick out aggressively.
Stinging hairs are most abundant on the stems, leaf petioles and undersides of the leaves, especially along the leaf veins. Nettles occur in all parts of New York, but are most common in riparian areas, along stream banks and also in disturbed areas especially farmland.
In hot areas, they favor sites in partial shade, but will grow in full sun in moist soils along streams or in ditches. A stinging nettle sting can feel like a bee sting: sharp, sudden, and very painful.
Both the stems and the leaves of stinging nettles are covered by structures that look like hairs but are delicate and hollow. Chemicals flow through them into the skin, which causes a stinging sensation and a rash. Stinging nettle rash presents as raised bumps or hives that are often light in color and up to a centimeter in diameter. The skin surrounding the hives may be red. A stinging sensation is usually felt upon contact with the nettles. Afterward, the rash commonly feels itchy.
In rare cases, some people may have an allergic reaction to stinging nettles. In these cases, medical attention should be sought immediately as this can be life-threatening.
If there is no allergic reaction , there are many methods that can be used at home to help relieve the symptoms of stinging nettle rash. Any touching or rubbing could push the chemicals deeper into the skin and cause the reaction to be more severe and last longer. After 10 minutes, use soap and water to wash away the chemicals from the surface of the skin.
This can often be enough to greatly reduce or completely remove any pain, itching, or swelling. After cleaning, use a sturdy tape to remove any remaining fibers from the skin. But sometimes the effects of the sting can last for up to 24 hours. For relief during this time, try using the juices from a dock plant or a jewelweed plant. Both of these plants can usually be found in the same areas as stinging nettles.
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