great stinging nettle

Urtica dioica

Member of nettles (genus Urtica)
nettle family (family Urticaceae)
dicots (class Magnoliopsida)
other colors in flowering plants

This species has wild members, but they are not yet included in this guide.

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iNaturalist is in the process of changing the North American observations to U. gracilis; I need to do more research to distinguish ssp. gracilis from hoary nettle (Urtica gracilis ssp. holosericea)

• 50–300 cm tall
• leaf blade 6–20 cm
• inflorescence raceme- or panicle-like, generally > petiole
• non-stinging hairs on abaxial leaf veins appressed
• stem green

Toxicity of nettle, stinging (Urtica spp.):
1 – Skin contact with these plants can cause symptoms ranging from redness, itching, and rash to painful blisters like skin burns.

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Chris’s observations: 32 (15 are research grade)

Locations:

• Russian Ridge OSP: 7
• Butano SP: 3
• Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP: 3
• Bear Creek Redwoods OSP: 2
• Murray Ranch SP: 2
• Sweeney Ridge National Recreation Area: 2
• Andrew Molera SP
• Castle Rock SP
• Coal Creek OSP
• Huckleberry Botanic RP
• Jacks Peak CP
• Mt. Madonna SP
• Mt. Tamalpais Watershed
• Sam McDonald CP
• San Pedro Valley CP
• Sibley Volcanic RP
• Stevens Creek CP
• Windy Hill OSP
• Wunderlich CP

Months:

• Jan.: 2
• Feb.: 1
• Mar.: 4
• Apr.: 1
• May: 5
• Jun.: 2
• Jul.: 7
• Aug.: 5
• Sep.: 3
• Oct.: 1
• Nov.: 1

For more details, use advanced search.

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Taxon info: iNaturalist – Calflora – CalPhotos – Jepson eFlora – FNA

Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora