Plant Description: Stinging Nettle is vital medicinal and edible plant in our region known for its presence in forest eco systems, coveted during foraging season (forage responsibly, leave some for others and . This plant has fine hairs that cause a stinging sensation and can cause a rash, handle with care, gloves are often necessary. Stinging nettles spreads by rhizome and self seeds. Each plant is dioecious with flower resembling catkins. Leaves are most often narrow, lance leaf with saw tooth edges.
The whole plant is considered edible and medicinal. The sting of the leaves has been used to treat aches & pain and leaves have been ground into a poultice to treat rashes. Once cooked, leaves no longer have their stinging quality and are exceptionally tasty, used in soups, baked goods, tea, etc *NEVER CONSUME PLANTS WITHOUT PROPER ID*
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Height: 3-9 ft
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Width: 1-3 ft
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Watering needs: regular moisture
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Sun needs: full-part shade
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Soil needs: moist, slow draining, heavy nitrogen
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Bloom Time: Spring-Summer
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Portland Plant List (Backyard Habitat Certification): No
Landscape Use and Ecological Function: Stinging nettle thrives in moist under stories, stream banks, shady disturbed sites, and wet meadows. Nettles commonly grow in relationship with other moist forest plants like water leaf, trillium, carex ssp., salmonberry, firs, maples, and red alder. Nettle can be used for soil remediation in sites affected by heavy metals. We recommend this plant in woodland gardens and food forests.
