Urtica holosericea (Giant Stinging Nettle)

Photographs

My photos:

We thought we'd walk up along the creekbed along De Luz Road, but something bit me as I walked through the plants. It stung for hours afterwards, although it didnt leave a mark. We decided to walk along the road instead.

I believe the plant to the right to be the culprit.

More photos:

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Urticaceae

In the garden:

If you need to protect a water source, e.g., a pond, from people, stinging nettle has merits. The foliage looks something like Catnip, or Catmint.

In the wild:

This is a perennial herb arising from underground rootstocks, which is from 3 to 10 feet tall. Stems are stout and bristly. Leaves are green and hairy. Flowers are not particularly distinctive - a "rather ugly" green-yellow. Low damp places, below 9000 feet. This plant will go drought dormant and disappear until water reappears.

Ethnobotany:

Young nettles are eaten as greens. A tea brewed from the leaves is said to relieve urinary tract infections, heal chest colds, and alleviate internal pain. Native people applied the leaves to the skin to relieve joint pain; a poultice of the leaves was applied for headache and sore limbs; and the fibers were used for various purposes.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines
De Luz Road

Index
Home