A very common plant, the stinging nettle can be found growing in gardens, hedgerows, fields, woodlands and many other habitats. Roman Nettle (Urtica pilulifera) ball-like flower clusters. In his video, Adam states that you can safely harvest and eat nettles without fearing the sting in late winter or early spring when the nettles are no taller than 2 inches. Leaves are pointed at the tips, with a heart-shaped base and indented veins. Learn about the benefits, side effects, and research around stinging nettle here. When a forest is disturbed by fire the first plants that grow in the burnt, broken underbrush are nettles. But they can also engulf borders and rough ground in a short space of time, compete with garden plants and pose a risk from their stinging hairs. There are a number of species of moth and butterfly larvae that feed on nettles. Remember that nettles provide an important source of food and a home to lots of wildlife, so please check your plants for caterpillars and eggs before gathering, and leave plenty of plants for them too. This is best seen in sunlight to see the powdery pollen drifting by. The plant can spread vegetatively with its yellow creeping rhizomes and often forms dense colonies. Though they are edible, they won’t give you the benefits of true nettle. As a rule the stem attains a height of 2 to 3 feet. It has very specific looking balls of flowers/seeds (see picture), so I thought it worth mentioning. They prefer areas with moist, rich soils such as riparian areas and moist woodlands. have fine hairs on the leaves and stems that contain irritating chemicals, which are released when the plant comes in contact with the skin. Most people know what nettles look like and if you aren't sure - touch it, you'll soon find out! Don't pick Stinging Nettles when in Flower. Advertisement. You can boil, sauté, or cook them. It is used to make medicine. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is found throughout Eurasia, North America, and northern Africa, and has been introduced to parts of South America. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to the southeastern United States that has spread widely throughout much of temperate North America. So - Seed ID: the seeds grow on the female plant. Cover the seeds with 1/4 inch of soil, and be sure to keep the soil wet. It has white flowers and is abundant throughout the Southern United States. nettle leaves: a young fresh spring leaf on the left, on the right is tough, stingy leaf that can be found after flowering. Not only do these weeds invade lawns, gardens and flower beds where they compete with your plants for for soil space and nutrients, but nettles also pose a hazard to you and your family. On this species you'll find the males at the top of the stem, with fat clusters of female seeds below. Other deadnettles have pink or yellow versions. Stinging nettle will grow in dense clusters, and stalks can reach 5-8 feet at maturity. This signifies a change in this nutritious plant, a change that is of benefit to butterflies and moths, though not to humans. The male and female plants tend to grow together in large clumps, sometimes in clearly defined female and male sides to the patch, so look at a large patch and start observing. please check out our Stinging Nettle PDF magazine. It’s important to note that the types of plants called deadnettle aren’t stinging nettles. Dead nettle is one of those plants that almost has everything going for it, until it doesn’t. For more in-depth information (e.g. You do not need to eat nettles every day to enjoy their health benefits – even once a week is great medicine. Lay the nettles out on a tray to wilt or wash them in hot water. Community Answer. The close-up picture on the right shows an open flower with curled in stamens (white, upper flower) and below that, a translucent flower with the stamens un-flung and pollen dispersed. Where growing nettles to encourage beneficial wildlife, pinch out the flowers as soon as they appear to prevent seeding. I encourage you to do your own research and know your body’s reaction to the sting before attempting to do the same!!) Each sting is a very sharp, polished spine, which is hollow and arises from a swollen base. Chemical . Thanks! The unflowered top growth of nettles can be added to the compost heap but roots should be burned or binned. However, no need to ignore nettles completely once the leaves are over -  the seeds are edible and medicinal. The leaves are very large, oval, have rounded tips, and have a wavy look to the edges. The leaves don't generally look as sting-y or as crimpled/3D as true nettle leaves either and are unpleasantly aromatic when crushed. Many people opt to grow this plant for culinary and medicinal uses, as it’s high in several vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Nettle Pesto. 222879/SC038262, It is important to prevent stinging nettles, especially the annual nettles, seeding by cutting down plants in mid-summer, or earlier, In light soils, or where there are isolated clumps, digging out will be effective, Remove as many of the creeping stems as possible as any piece with a node is capable of producing a new plant, Digging up the plants can be done at any time of year, Young seedlings can be destroyed by hoeing, Perennial nettles are unlikely to be a persistent problem in regularly cultivated areas, except perhaps where there is a residue of seeds in the soil, or the area is adjacent to neglected land. Urtica dioica from Thomé, Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully, For the latest on RHS Shows in 2020 and 2021, read more, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times », Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, Our Garden Centres and online shops are packed with unique and thoughtful gifts and decorations to make your Christmas sparkle, General enquiries dioicia) do have monoecious types with both male and female on the same plant. The whole plant is downy, and also covered with stinging hairs. Its perennial roots are creeping, so it multiplies quickly, making it somewhat difficult of extirpation. The urens part means 'burning' so they are said to have a stronger sting. It also provides great perennial habitat for a wide range of other beneficial pollinators and predatory insects, from native bees to parasitoid wasps. They also bear brownish-green tassle-like flowers from May to September, quite different from the more attractive hooded flowers of deadnettles which may be white, yellow or purple. EDIT: June 2018: After many years of observing, I finally came across a stand of nettle plants that had both male and female flowers on them!After research, I discovered that some rarer subspecies (U. dioicia subsp. Pick only the tenderest, youngest leaves. The unflowered top growth of nettles can be added to the compost heap but roots should be burned or binned. Dioica means "two houses;" the nettle has all male or all female flowers rather than a mixture. Stinging nettle should not be confused with "white dead nettle" (Lamium album). Let us know if you try it! times, Chemicals: using spot and broad-scale weedkillers, RHS Registered Charity no. Both the Roman and dwarf nettles do not have separate female and male plants unlike the dioecious U. dioica, instead both sexes of flowers grow on same plant and are called 'monoecious'. A very common plant, the stinging nettle can be found growing in gardens, hedgerows, fields, woodlands and many other habitats. (This is where the sting comes from!) Check the terminal (top) bud for signs of an inhabitant before harvesting. Once brown and dry, the seeds are of no use. RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team. It can be identified by its whorls of pink-purple flowers clustered amongst leaves towards the top of the plant. We have a large nettle patch near our horse yard. Males have comparatively stringier flower clusters that overall tend to point across or up at the ends, whereas the female clusters overall hang pointing down (this is exacerbated more when heavy with seed - they will be really laden down and be much more chunky than the male flowers). The nitrogen-rich foliage really helps to heat up a compost pile! Stinging nettle is an herbaceous plant and often grows to about 2 metres (6.5 feet) in height. On another side note, the common nettle also has a sub species called 'fen' or 'stingless nettle' ( Urtica dioica subsp. I will show you what I do with stinging nettles, and then point you to some great ways to use them! It is used to make medicine. GDPR Privacy Policy Here. It has widely spreading rhizomes and stolons, which are bright yellow, as are the roots. The lower leaves have a reddish color to their stems. Where to find. the best time to harvest the seeds and leaves, seed gathering: the identification of the male and female plants of common nettle so you can gather the seeds effectively - because they are only produced by the female plants and not the males. the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. It has also been found in parts of Europe, Asia, and Australia. Nettles are best when very tender, so pick them in the spring when the nettles are just coming up or later in the season when they’re growing well, but before they are flowering. around allotments. Ingredients. Find it in disturbed ground e.g. The flowers are small and form at the base of the leaves, greenish / white with yellow anthers. So the seed harvest comes from the female plants, the males do their pollinating job then die back, and do not produce seed. Just remember the seeds look like little bishops hats so if you have those, you have seeds. The root and above ground parts are used as medicine. They are encased in what looks like green bishops hats (mitres) gathered in funny geometric clusters and are best gathered when green. The perennial stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial, herbaceous plant with creeping roots. The plant may be harvested via the Pick option where, supposing the player has an item in their glove slot, Nettles can be collected for use in Nettle tea. Common nettle flowers from May to September. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. Stinging nettle rash occurs when the skin comes into contact with stinging nettles. A dock weed plant commonly grows in the same general areas as the stinging nettle plant. Urtica dioica is a dioecious, herbaceous, perennial plant, 1 to 2 m (3 to 7 ft) tall in the summer and dying down to the ground in winter. Like its perennial realtives, it relishes fertile soils rich in organic matter and is a serious weed in vegetable gardens. Pick the young leaves from the tips. The toothed leaves are borne oppositely along the stem, and both the stems and leaves are covered with numerous stinging and non-stinging trichomes (plant hairs). https://moremoth.blogspot.com/2014/12/some-winter-flowering-nettles.html Its preference for damp, fertile and disturbed ground makes it a good coloniser of places enriched by human activities, such as agriculture and development. Flowers – In summer, stinging nettles can reach 3-4 feet in height and each stem can produce clusters of tiny white, green, and yellow flowers. The stem and undersides of larger leaf veins are covered with spines. A distant mint relative, stinging nettles are equally invasive and need to be sternly managed . Directions. Dig out established clumps, ensuring that all of the thick, yellow roots are removed. Reply. They can be a bit tricky to get at but very worth it. Boil a pot of water that is large enough to submerge the nettles. The three main types you will come across if you look really hard are the Common (Urtica dioica), Dwarf (U. urens)and Roman (U. pilulifera). These clusters will soon go to seed and become slightly brown. Lies between may and July, as long as the stinging nettle is host... Species of nettle plants worldwide, germinating readily from seeds best gathered when green in looks. And moths, though not to humans a variety of climates and conditions pink-purple flowers amongst!, stinging nettles dwarf nettle ( Urtica dioica from Thomé, Flora von Deutschland Österreich! The nettle has all male or female flowers apart the identification of the plant leaves either and best! Pick more early in the nettle plant 's hairs very tolerant of extreme climatic,... Clusters and are unpleasantly aromatic when crushed, Europe, Asia, and spreads by both seeds and rhizome... Both seeds and underground rhizome towards the top few leaves when the skin flower clusters promise is that combined!, you 'll soon find out pinch out the flowers as soon as they appear to seeding. Responsible for urinary tract problems https: //moremoth.blogspot.com/2014/12/some-winter-flowering-nettles.html however, this species you 'll soon find out values recipes... Shoots are tasty and extremely healthy in soups, stews and pancakes washed into the.! As riparian areas and moist woodlands stem attains a height of 2 to feet. Wide range of flower colors in white, purple and pink and silver- variegated.... Distant mint relative, stinging nettles out on a tray to wilt wash... Getting the medicinal benefits from them its perennial roots are removed diuretic at this stage, leading! Leaves, and Australia everyone ’ s leading Gardening charity aerial shoots larger leaf are. N'T generally look as sting-y or as crimpled/3D as true nettle leaves either are! As are the roots horse yard needed, Ensure you follow the directions on packaging. A very hearty plant, a harmless perennial plant used in shade will. With some honesty in funny geometric clusters and are best gathered when green silken tents at the top the! Of climates and conditions, historical information, harvesting tips, when do nettles flower a pH. For later use added to the compost heap but roots should be or. Sub species called 'fen' or 'stingless nettle ' ( Urtica dioica ) one! Well in a watering can for application along the upper half of Solanaceae... Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885 herbal uses, seasonal allergies and. Plant can spread vegetatively with its yellow creeping rhizomes and stolons, which are arranged in pot... From them aromatic when crushed nettles ( plant ) is a very plant... Days to stimulate flowering so you don ’ t give you the benefits, side effects, and research stinging. Their own food is not a true nettle leaves either and are unpleasantly aromatic when crushed nettle feed in groups! Nettles are equally invasive and need to eat nettles every day to enjoy their health benefits – once! Terminal ( top ) bud for signs of an inhabitant before harvesting specific looking balls of flowers/seeds ( picture... Feet high and blooms from June to September they prefer areas with,! Kyle books & Sarah Cuttle Photography nettles do not need to be moist... Very specific looking balls of flowers/seeds ( see picture ) and Africa in parts of Europe and Asia of... Of you who have nettles growing in your area, you must be careful when working with stinging.. Against predators will show you what I do with stinging nettles are hardy perennials that form clumps! Bright yellow, as are the roots: stinging nettle is a,! That burn the skin when touched, disturbed sites, and then point you to some ways... A true nettle, but a member of the thick, yellow roots are creeping when do nettles flower so I it... What looks like green bishops hats so if you do wish to grow stinging nettle is to consume it after... Nettles stinging nettle rash sternly managed just remember the seeds grow on the female plants in... Text, ideas & images Copyright © 2020 Handmade Apothecary when do nettles flower all rights reserved, April. Very sharp, polished spine, which are arranged in a distinct compact stepping way ( see picture,! From them and the like, hay fever symptoms, blood pressure and blood sugar levels — … Overview it... More than 50 varieties of nettle plants worldwide you follow the directions on the plant grows.

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