Practical
Plants

Urtica californica

Stinging Nettle

a perennial member of the Urtica genus in the family Urticaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Urtica
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.8 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves of the plants have stinging hairs, causing irritation to the skin[9][7]. This action is neutralized by heat so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe and nutritious[7]. However, only young leaves should be used because older leaves develop gritty particles called cystoliths which act as an irritant to the kidneys[4].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - cooked[4]. A very nutritious food, high in vitamins and minerals, it makes an excellent spinach substitute and can also be added to soups and stews. Only use the young leaves and wear stout gloves when harvesting them to prevent getting stung. Although the fresh leaves have stinging hairs, thoroughly drying or cooking them destroys these hairs. Nettle beer is brewed from the young shoots[7].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fresh leaves of nettles have been rubbed or beaten onto the skin in the treatment of rheumatism etc[K]. This practice, called urtification, causes intense irritation to the skin as it is stung by the nettles. It is believed that this treatment works in two ways. Firstly, it acts as a counter-irritant, bringing more blood to the area to help remove the toxins that cause rheumatism. Secondly, the formic acid from the nettles is believed to have a beneficial effect upon the rheumatic joints.

Product or use
Antirheumatic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A strong flax-like fibre is obtained from the stems[7]. Used for making string and cloth, it also makes a good quality paper[1]. It is harvested as the plant begins to die down in early autumn and is retted before the fibres are extracted[11][15]. The following uses have been listed for U. dioica, but they are almost certainly also applicable to this species. The plant matter left over after the fibres have been extracted are a good source of biomass and have been used in the manufacture of sugar, starch, protein and ethyl alcohol[11]. An oil obtained from the seeds is used as an illuminant[11]. An essential ingredient of 'QR' herbal compost activator[10]. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost[K]. The leaves are also an excellent addition to the compost heap[2][5][6] and they can be soaked for 7 - 21 days in water to make a very nutritious liquid feed for plants[13]. This liquid feed is both insect repellent and a good foliar feed[3][5][12]. The growing plant increases the essential oil content of other nearby plants, thus making them more resistant to insect pests[5][6][13]. Although many different species of insects feed on nettles, flies are repelled by the plant so a bunch of freshly cut stems has been used as a repellent in food cupboards[11]. The juice of the plant, or a decoction formed by boiling the herb in a strong solution of salt, will curdle milks and thus acts as a rennet substitute[11]. This same juice, if rubbed into small seams of leaky wooden tubs, will coagulate and make the tub watertight again[11]. A hair wash is made from the infused leaves and this is used as a tonic and antidandruff treatment[4][8]. A beautiful and permanent green dye is obtained from a decoction of the leaves and stems[11][1]. A yellow dye is obtained from the root when boiled with alum[11][1].

Product or use
Compost
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Liquid feed
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California.
Habitat
Wet brushy thickets along the immediate coast[14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame, only just covering the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and plant them out in the summer. Division succeeds at almost any time in the growing season. Very easy, plant them straight out into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. It is very closely related to U. lyallii and is doubtfully distinct from it[14]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a nitrogen-rich soil[7]. The best fibre is produced when plants are grown on deep fertile soils[7]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩

  3. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩

  4. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  8. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩

  9. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  10. Bruce. M. E. Commonsense Compost Making. Faber 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-571-09990-4

    ↩

  11. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  12. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

    ↩

  13. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩1↩2

  14. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  15. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

    ↩

Edit this page