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EDIBLE PARTS: Young shoots eaten as potherb. Boiling destroys irritant. Add to stews or soups.
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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.
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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.
Lucas Land
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
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.
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Distribution: Mountains and Piedmont.
