Stinging Nettle? Or a look-alike? - Ask Extension
I have an abundance of what looks like Stinging Nettle in my yard. I'm trying to identify it.
It has the look of stinging nettle, with leaves growing...
Knowledgebase
Stinging Nettle? Or a look-alike? #455448
Asked May 20, 2018, 9:14 PM EDT
I have an abundance of what looks like Stinging Nettle in my yard. I'm trying to identify it.
It has the look of stinging nettle, with leaves growing opposite each other on the stalk, the fine prickly hairs on the leaves and the stalk, and the rigid leave edges. It also stings when touched. Their is one difference: the hairs on the leaves are on both top and bottom. From all of my reading the hairs are supposed to be on the bottom side only.
Is this still stinging nettle? Why are the hairs on the top?
Monroe County Michigan
Expert Response
There are a number of different types of stinging nettles in this genus. Three are found commonly in this part of the country. Two are listed with hairy leaves; Urtica dioica and Urtica procera. One reference lists Urtica procera as having hairs on both sides of leaves. All have the stinging hairs.
Excellent, Robert. I appreciate this very much. I wanted to harvest some for food and medicine, but I needed to make sure it really was a stinging nettle and not something different. They taste good lightly fried with onions and sweet peppers in some olive oil.
I researched Urtica procera and you are spot on - that is what this plant is.
I researched Urtica procera and you are spot on - that is what this plant is.
