Urtica dioica

Common Name: 
stinging nettle
Scientific Name: 
Urtica dioica L.
Family Name: 
Urticaceae - Nettle Family
Identification Notes
Life Cycle
introduced perennial, reproducing by seed and creeping roots
Stems
erect, unbranched, bristly stinging hairs, hairy, somewhat 4-sided
Stems of Stinging Nettle
Stems of Stinging Nettle
Stems of Stinging Nettle
Leaves
opposite, broad to narrowly ovate, bases heart-shaped, petioled, coarsely toothed, smooth or hairy, stinging hairs absent or present, stipule present
Leaves of Stinging Nettle
Flowers
greenish-white, very small, monoecious; axillary spike clusters above, spikes branched and usually four per node, long, male and female at different leaf axils
Flowers of Stinging Nettle