Stinging nettle or common nettle, "Urtica dioica", is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is the best-known member of the nettle genus "Urtica". The plant has many hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on its leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles, injecting histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other animals.
Similar species: Rosales
By Ferdy Christant
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Uploaded Jun 3, 2012. Captured Jun 2, 2012 15:04 in Heibloemsedijk 20, 5473 Heeswijk-Dinther, The Netherlands.
comments (2)
(I wouldn't want to roll along in them though!)
My grandfather always impressed me by 'carelessly' picking one off the many fields in his forrest he worked and lived i. Just in a fraction of a second and stating 'This one doesn't work. It does not sting at all' and smiling one of his many big smiles.
The trick is picking them bottom up, so the hairs on top of the leaves don't touch your skin. Easy as 123 and it still impresses people. I practice;)
When the nettles flower the sting is much less, often zero sting. Even rubbing the top of a leaf doesn't sting, really. Mind the absence of flowers though!
Posted 13 years ago