Urtica dioica

Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle. A very well known plant, common in most areas, especially at lower levels and around old farm buildings due to its appetite for nitrogen. Stinging hairs inject histamine. Separate male and female plants. Dies down for winter and regrows from roots and stolons. It is able to spread by stolons as well as by seeds. Stinging Nettle has a long history of use in herbal medicine and food and is an important food source for several invertebrates.


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Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle
Nettle clump in pasture
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Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle
Nettle plants
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Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle female flowers
Female flowers
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Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle, female flowers
Female flowers
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Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle, female flowers
Female flowers
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Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle
Leaf edge
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Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle
Leaf hairs

Photograph detail


Slide 1: Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle. Clump in sheep grazed pasture. Hargill. Redmire. May.


Slide 2: Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle. Garden in Redmire. May.


Slide 3: Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle female flowers. Garden in Redmire. May.


Slide 4: Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle female flowers. Garden in Redmire. May.


Slide 5: Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle female flowers. Garden in Redmire. May.


Slide 6: Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle. Stinging hairs on leaf edge. Garden in Redmire. May.


Slide 7: Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle. Stinging hairs on leaf. Photographed at x100, brightfiled illumination. Garden in Redmire. May.