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Flowers
Nettles
(Urtica)
Summary
| Order | Family | Genus |
|---|---|---|
| Rosales
(Rosales) |
The Nettle Family
(Urticaceae) |
Nettles
(Urtica) |
Overview
The nettle is a very common plant in the UK and easily recognised by many as a 'stinging nettle'.
Bushcraft
A very useful plant for use in Bushcraft as it grows in abundance. It is edible, has historic use for its medicinal properties and can be used as cordage and textiles.
Click here for more information on this flower at Plants For A Future. (Common Plantain)
General Info
| Description | Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Perennial | Nettles can be found all year round. |
| Edible | Yes | Can be prepared many ways for consumption - see below |
| Uses | Medium | Food and cordage/fibre - see below |
Gallery and Identification
Size - Common nettle can grow up to 1.5m tall Stem - Green stem and more fragile towards the top. Purple/redish at the base and a lot tougher. Leaves - Fragile green leaves covered in hairs (trichomes) that will 'sting'. Reproductive Parts - Tiny flowers growing at the top of the stem during spring/summer. Plants are either male or female. Distribution - Widely distributed across the UK. Prefer dryer soil. Surroundings - Nettles grow in many un-managed area, such as path sides, road side and scrub land. Distinguishing Features - Exclusive larval food to several species of butterfly and moth. (e.g. Peacock butterfly, angle shades).
Resources
- Cordage
- Clothing
- Dyes - from the root.
Skills
- Cordage
Food
- Leaves - raw, wilted over fire (improves taste), tea, soup, puree.(rich in vitamins A and C, iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium).