Urtica dioica

Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea or Hoary Nettle is an herbaceous plant with coarsely toothed, opposite leaves that are covered with stinging hairs, as are the stems. If you accidentally brush up against this plant when hiking, you can get a severe stinging reaction that may last for hours or days. Flowers are small and nondescript, growing in clusters from the leaf axils. Plants favor streambanks, moist waste places, and margins of woods. The nettle family, Urticaceae, has many plants that have been used medicinally for centuries. The Red Admiral butterfly uses species in this family as host plants.

Introduction to Valentien Collection
Gallery of Plants
Monarca: A Gallery of Butterfly Plants

Text by Margaret Dykens