Urtica urens
Common name
nettle, stinging nettle
Family
Urticaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
URTURE
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
Common throughout New Zealand. Gardens, under trees, disturbed pature and sheep camps.
Features
Erect annual that grows to 60cm tall. Has dark green, heart-shaped leaves (to 8cm long) in opposite pairs. Stinging bristles on the leaves and stems.
Flower colours
Green
Life cycle
Annual
Year naturalised
1846
Origin
N. temperate regions
Etymology
urtica: From the Latin verb urere which means “to burn”