Nettle (Urtica)

Where?

Stinging nettles are a typical indicator plant for nitrogen-rich soils, whose growth and spread is promoted in particular by nitrogen input. Four species of stinging nettle occur in Central Europe, which grow very undemandingly and therefore colonize a wide range of habitats.The most common species is Urtica dioica.

Appearance?

Nettles grow as an annual or perennial herbaceous plant with (depending on the species) growth heights between 10 and 300 cm. The often square stems are partly branched, partly unbranched and grow mostly upright or ascending. All green parts of the plant are covered with stinging and bristly hairs. The leaves are usually arranged cross-opposite, have an elliptical, ovoid or circular appearance and are usually toothed at the leaf edge..

Special features?

Typical of stinging nettles are the stinging hairs, which break off on contact and release stinging liquid into and onto the skin, causing (depending on the species) more or less painful wheals.