Urtica

Urtica

Illustration of Urtica dioica

Urtica dioica plant

Urtica is a genus of flowering plants in the family Urticaceae. The most well-known species is Urtica dioica, commonly known as stinging nettle. The genus includes about 80 species, which are found primarily in temperate regions worldwide.

Description

Urtica dioica in bloom

Plants in the genus Urtica are typically herbaceous perennials, although some species are annuals. They are characterized by their stinging hairs, which can cause a painful rash upon contact with skin. The leaves are usually opposite, serrated, and covered with stinging and non-stinging hairs. The flowers are small, greenish, and wind-pollinated, appearing in clusters.

Distribution and Habitat

Urtica species are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and disturbed areas. They are most commonly found in temperate regions of Europe, Asia, North America, and northern Africa. Urtica dioica is particularly widespread and can be found in a range of environments, from woodlands to riverbanks.

Uses

Urtica species have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and as a food source. The young leaves of Urtica dioica can be cooked and eaten like spinach, and they are rich in vitamins A and C, iron, potassium, and calcium. The plant has also been used to make herbal teas and as a source of fiber for textiles.

Ecology

Urtica plants play an important role in their ecosystems. They provide food for the larvae of several species of butterflies and moths, including the peacock butterfly and the red admiral. The stinging hairs deter herbivores, allowing the plants to thrive in areas with high grazing pressure.

Related Pages

• Urticaceae
• Stinging nettle
• Herbal medicine

References

• C. A. Stace, New Flora of the British Isles, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
• R. Mabey, Food for Free, Collins, 1972.

Close-up of Urtica dioica leaves

• 
  Illustration of Urtica dioica
• 
  Urtica dioica plant
• 
  Urtica dioica leaves
• 
  Urtica dioica