Urtica: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:49, 9 February 2025

Urtica

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

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

References

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

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-'''Urtica''' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Urticaceae. Many species have stinging hairs and may be called nettles or stinging nettles, although the latter name applies particularly to [[Urtica dioica]].
+== Urtica ==
+[[File:Illustration_Urtica_dioica0.jpg|thumb|Illustration of ''Urtica dioica'']]
+[[File:Urt.doi.mal.jpg|thumb|''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 species grow as annuals or perennial herbaceous plants, rarely shrubs. They can reach, depending on the type, location and nutrient status, a height of 10–300 cm (3.9–118.1 in). The perennial species have underground rhizomes. The green parts have stinging hairs. Their often quadrangular stems are unbranched or branched, erect, ascending or spreading. The leaves, which can be simple or compound, are paired on the stem, and the leaf blades are usually elliptical, lanceolate, ovate or circular.
-== Distribution and habitat ==
+[[File:Urtica_dioica_(1).jpg|thumb|''Urtica dioica'' in bloom]]
-Urtica species are spread worldwide, apart from the polar regions, especially in the tropics. They are typically found in the understory of wetlands and riparian forests, and in disturbed soils rich in nitrogen, such as pastures and roadsides.
+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 are used as food by the larvae of some [[Lepidoptera]] (butterfly and moth) species. Some species, like [[Urtica dioica]], have been used as a medicinal plant and are considered a nutritious food source.
-== See also ==
+''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.
-* [[List of Urtica species]]
+== 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]]
-* [[Urtica dioica]]
+* [[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.
+[[File:Urtica_dioica_2849_cropped.jpg|thumb|Close-up of ''Urtica dioica'' leaves]]
 [[Category:Urticaceae]]
-[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
+[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
-[[Category:Herbs]]
+[[Category:Flora of Asia]]
+[[Category:Flora of North America]]
-{{stub}}