Stinging Nettle

Nettle

Botanical Name: Urtica Dioica

Folk Names: Ortiga Ancha, Stinging Nettle

Photo by Anni&John

Nettle, is a perennial herbaceous, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is best known as a member of the genus Urtica. It has several hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on its leaves and stems, which act like needles that inject histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when in contact with humans and animals.