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Urtica gracilis
  • Stinging Nettle

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Urtica gracilis has 0 edible uses listed
Urtica gracilis has 0 material uses listed
Urtica gracilis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The leaves of the plants have stinging hairs, causing irritation to the skin[1][2]. This action is neutralized by heat so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe and nutritious[2]. However, only young leaves should be used because older leaves develop gritty particles called cystoliths which act as an irritant to the kidneys[3].

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves - cooked[4][3]. 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[2].

Unknown part

Drink

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

A strong flax-like fibre is obtained from the stems[2][5]. Used for making string and cloth[6][7][8][9], it also makes a good quality paper[10]. It is harvested as the plant begins to die down in early autumn and is retted before the fibres are extracted[6][11].

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[6]. An oil obtained from the seeds is used as an illuminant[6]. An essential ingredient of 'QR' herbal compost activator[12]. 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[13][14][15] and they can be soaked for 7 - 21 days in water to make a very nutritious liquid feed for plants[16]. This liquid feed is both insect repellent and a good foliar feed[17][14][18]. The growing plant increases the essential oil content of other nearby plants, thus making them more resistant to insect pests[14][15][16]. 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[6]. 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[6]. This same juice, if rubbed into small seams of leaky wooden tubs, will coagulate and make the tub watertight again[6]. A hair wash is made from the infused leaves and this is used as a tonic and antidandruff treatment[3][19]. A beautiful and permanent green dye is obtained from a decoction of the leaves and stems[6][10].

A yellow dye is obtained from the root when boiled with alum[6][10].

Unknown part

Compost
Dye
Fibre
Hair care
Liquid feed
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves are alterative, antiasthmatic, antidandruff, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic and expectorant[3][5]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of colds[5].

The fresh leaves of nettles have been rubbed or beaten onto the skin in the treatment of rheumatism etc[5]. 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.

An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of dysentery and urine retention[5]. A decoction of the root has been used as a bath in the treatment of rheumatism[5].

Unknown part

Alterative
Antiasthmatic
Antidandruff
Antirheumatic
Antispasmodic
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Expectorant

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Urtica gracilis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

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 closely related to U. dioica[20], and may be no more than a part of that species[21]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.

Prefers a nitrogen-rich soil[2]. The best fibre is produced when plants are grown on deep fertile soils[2].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Urtica gracilis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Urtica gracilis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Urtica gracilis
Genus
Urtica
Family
Urticaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[4][3][2]
Medicinal uses
[3][5]
Material uses & Functions
[2][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][3][19]
Botanic
[20][21]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.5 x meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious











    References

    1. ? Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    4. ? 4.04.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.7 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.76.86.9 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 ? Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th edition. ()
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
    11. ? 11.011.1 Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 (1979-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Bruce. M. E. Commonsense Compost Making. Faber ISBN 0-571-09990-4 (1977-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2 ()
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.3 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.2 Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.1 De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. ()
    19. ? 19.019.1 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.1 Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)
    21. ? 21.021.1 ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-235" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


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    Facts about "Urtica gracilis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyUrticaceae +
    Belongs to genusUrtica +
    Has common nameStinging Nettle +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Leaves +
    Has edible useDrink + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useCompost +, Dye +, Fibre +, Hair care +, Liquid feed + and Repellent +
    Has mature height1.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAlterative +, Antiasthmatic +, Antidandruff +, Antirheumatic +, Antispasmodic +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic + and Expectorant +
    Has search nameurtica gracilis + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameUrtica gracilis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +