LucasLand

The Wildflowers

Wood Nettle

Laportea canadensis

Ouch. Don't grab this plant which has sharp barbs along the stem. When touched, the barbs evidently emit an acid that will send painful shock waves up your arm.
 

From NC State poisonous plant list

Family: Urticaceae

Plant Description

Erect, perennial herb with conspicuous stinging hairs throughout; leaves alternate, simple, coarsely toothed; flowers small and inconspicuous, in axillary clusters.

Origin

USA, NC.

Distribution

Mountains and Piedmont.

Where Found

Forest or natural areas in rich woods, moist bottomlands of rivers and streams.

Mode

Dermatitis.

Poisonous Part

Stinging hairs on all parts.

Symptoms

Intense burning and itching or stinging lasting usually less than an hour.

Edibility

EDIBLE PARTS: Young shoots eaten as potherb. Boiling destroys irritant. Add to stews or soups. HARVEST TIME: Only collect young shoots from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. Collect the young shoots in the spring. Wear gloves while collecting shoots; the shoots can cause a stinging effect. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Soak young shoots in warm water to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Place young shoots in boiling, salted water (with a pair of kitchen tongs) and boil for five minutes. Serve as a vegetable or add to soups. The stinging quality disappears after cooking. SOURCE: Crowhurst, A. 1972. The Weed Cookbook. Lancer Books, Inc. New York, 190 pp.

Toxic Principle

Mixture of chemicals, not well understood.

Severity

SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

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and then Nearctica will sell you some plants

Identification: Flowers minute, green. Male and female flowers separate with female flowers commonly near the top of the plant, and the male flowers near the center of the plant. Both male and female flowers in large, highly branched groups. Stem commonly zig-zags. Stem and leaves with stinging hairs. Leaves alternate, ovate-elongate with coarsely toothed outer margins. Plant 1.5 to 4 feet in height.

Distribution: North Dakota in the west to Nova Scotia in the east, southward to Florida and Kansas.

Habitat: Wood Nettle is found in rich, damp woods.

Flowering period: July to August.

Similar Species: Both False Nettle and Clearweed lack stinging hairs on the stem and leaves. The leaves of Stinging Nettle are opposite, not alternate.