The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: wood-nettle

Family: Urticaceae (nettle family)

Synonym: Urtica canadensis

Distribution: c. and e. North America

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Usage: Medicine

Comments: CAUTION: DO NOT touch this plant. Wood nettle is best appreciated from a careful distance. You may see several signs along the Woodland Garden trail warning you about this plant and encouraging you to refrain from touching it. The reason for these signs is that wood nettle has barbs on its leaves and stem that, when they come in contact with skin, deal a painful stinging sensation. Blistering or rash may also occur that can last for several days. Luckily, perhaps, wood nettle is often mistaken for stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) so most people avoid it upon spotting it anyway. When it’s not trying to hurt you, wood nettle is a native plant often found growing in open woods or along streams. It grows in large clumps and produces whitish green flowers in spring to early fall. Some insects and animals don’t mind the stings – caterpillars and occasionally deer feed on the foliage. Wood nettle can be an important host plant for many butterflies so despite the discomfort it may cause us humans, it remains an integral part of the Woodland Garden.