Where do nettles grow in the US?
Stinging nettle can be found throughout North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa. Wood nettle (Laportea canadensis) Less well known is wood nettle (Laportea canadensis) which is native to the eastern half of North America.
How many types of nettle are there?
However, at least six clear subspecies of U. dioica are described, some formerly classified as separate species: U. dioica subsp. dioica (European stinging nettle), from Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, has stinging hairs. U. dioica subsp. galeopsifolia (fen nettle or stingless nettle), from Europe, does not have stinging hairs.
What is stinging nettle?
Stinging Nettles. Stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica) is one of our most nutritious wild food plants. Originally from Europe, stinging nettle has naturalized throughout most of the United States. The stinging hairs that cover its leaves and stems impart a painful sting and rash that can last hours or days. Stinging nettle grows 2 to 4 feet tall...
Is nettle edible?
Probably the most commonly known and recognized member of the Nettle Family ( Urticaceae) is stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica ). Many folks know of its medicinal and edible qualities and enjoy foraging for it. Stinging nettle can be found throughout North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa.
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Are stinging nettles found in the US?
Stinging nettles grow wild throughout the United States, and are very common in Massachusetts. You can find them in disturbed areas, floodplains, pastures, roadsides, fields, woodlands, and stream banks. They like damp, rich soil and sunshine or partial shade.
What do they call nettles in America?
Urtica dioica, often known as common nettle, burn nettle, stinging nettle (although not all plants of this species sting) or nettle leaf, or just a nettle or stinger, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae.
Do other countries have nettles?
stinging nettle, (Urtica dioica), also called common nettle, weedy perennial plant of the nettle family (Urticaceae), known for its stinging leaves. Stinging nettle is distributed nearly worldwide but is especially common in Europe, North America, North Africa, and parts of Asia.
What countries are nettles found in?
Urtica dioica was originally found in the cooler regions of northern Europe, Asia and the United States. Now stinging nettles can be found in many areas of the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The stinging nettle flourishes in temperate climates where it can receive plentiful sunlight.
What countries do stinging nettles grow?
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L. #3 URTDI) grows throughout Europe and in parts of temperate Asia all the way to Japan; it is widely naturalized elsewhere, e.g North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand (9).
Is burning nettle edible?
The leaves are edible at any stage of the plants' growth. Cooking or drying them denatures the sting. They are nice and tender earlier in the season when they're young. If they have already grown flowers and seeds, they're still perfectly edible – just pick the smaller leaves near the top.
Are stinging nettles native to North America?
Stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, is native to North America, including California and other western U. S. states.
Is nettle toxic to humans?
Stinging nettle is generally considered safe when used as directed. Occasional side effects include mild stomach upset, fluid retention, sweating, diarrhea, and hives or rash (mainly from topical use). It is important to be careful when handling the nettle plant because touching it can cause an allergic rash.
Do nettles sting if you hold your breath?
Is holding your breath preventing you from being stung by a stinging nettle? Myth or true? Sorry, it's a myth. You can rub the juice of stinging nettle (grasp leaf from below) or the juice of dock on a sting for relief apparently.
What is the difference between stinging nettle and nettle?
Nettle leaf tea is derived from the leaves of the common nettle plant, also known as the stinging nettle. The scientific name for this plant is Urtica dioica. The 'stinging' moniker is apt, as handling the plant with exposed skin is known to produce a burning sensation that persists after contact.
Why do nettles have stings?
The nettle's sting is an adaptation to provide protection from predators. The sting causes any predator that may eat the plant or uproot it to stay clear.
Can you drink stinging nettle tea everyday?
It is a powerful blood purifier that drives out toxins from the body, making it the perfect addition to your daily routine to stay healthy. The herb has antibacterial, antifungal, astringent, and anti-inflammation properties. What's more, it is rich in vitamins A, B, C, and K, along with containing carotene and iron.
How did Native Americans use nettle?
This list of Native American uses for nettle, however, is extensive. Nettle has been used as food, medicine, clothing, and in ceremonial practice. Many tribes enjoy fresh nettle leaves or a nettle tonic in the spring, using it to purify the blood and the liver.
What nationality is nettles?
BritishNettles or Nettle is a locational surname of British origin, which means a person from a place overgrown with nettles. The name may refer to: Bea Nettles (born 1946), American photographer. Bill Nettles (born 1961), American lawyer.
What is stinging nettle used for?
Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).
Do nettles grow in Colorado?
In Colorado, they aren't nearly as common as they can be in other states. Here, they're mostly limited to the riparian areas, marshy meadows in the mountains, and occasionally the fertile soils near old homesteads.
What is the most common nettle?
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) Probably the most commonly known and recognized member of the Nettle Family ( Urticaceae) is stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica ). Many folks know of its medicinal and edible qualities and enjoy foraging for it.
Where is wood nettle native to?
Less well known is wood nettle ( Laportea canadensis) which is native to the eastern half of North America. It, too, is prized by foragers as food and medicine. Clearweed (Pilea pumila) The third plant to review in the nettle family is clearweed ( Pilea pumila) — also found in eastern North America.
How to tell stinging nettle from wood nettle?
Since both stinging nettle and wood nettle look so much alike — and both protect themselves with stinging hairs — how can we tell these two plants apart? The most obvious difference is the orientation of the leaves along the stems. Stinging nettle’s leaves are opposite each other.
What is stinging nettle?
Stinging nettle is a common understorycomponent of riparian communities. (7)
Does stinging nettle spread?
Stinging nettle persists in northern climates, spreading vegetativelyrather than by seed. (7)
How did nettle get its name?
Nettles earn their name from the tiny hairs found on the leaves and stems that cause a stinging sensation upon contact with skin. Nettle leaves have long been used fresh as a wild food in spring and then dried for its beneficial properties. Our North American nettle leaves are organically cultivated in the United States ...
What is nettle leaf?
Nettle Leaf, North American. Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is an herbaceous perennial that thrives in wet climates and moist soils. Nettles earn their name from the tiny hairs found on the leaves and stems that cause a stinging sensation upon contact with skin.
When are nettle leaves harvested?
Nettle leaves are harvested in the spring, once the plant has had time to mature but before it goes into flower. Nettle has been used worldwide for centuries in a variety ...
Is nettle a wild food?
Nettle has been used worldwide for centuries in a variety of countries and cultures. It has been eaten as a wild food plant, applied topically to the skin, and drunk as an herbal tea. It was used extensively for its fibers and was woven into cloth.
Is nettle a good fiber?
Nettle fibers were considered to be high quality and comparable to flax or hemp in Northern Europe. Nettle supports healthy urinary function and has mild diuretic action and helps to maintain upper respiratory health.*. Our North American nettle leaf produces a light infusion, with a mild flavor and grass-like undertones.
Is nettle a perennial?
Nettle is a dioecious, herbaceous, perennial plant. The soft, green leaves are borne oppositely on an erect, wiry, green stem and have a strongly serrated margin. The leaves and stems are very hairy with nonstinging hairs, and, in most subspecies, also bear many stinging hairs (trichomes), whose tips come off when touched, causing paresthesia.
