Urtica dioica, Stinging nettle

Urtica dioica or Stinging nettle is a herbaceous perennial plant  growing up to 1m in height in summer, which dies down to the ground in the winter. The stinging nettle is indicative for acidic soils.

This Stinging nettle is freshly growing next to a fence in Longford Park. The area is partially overgrown judging by the height of the stinging nettle and the other grasses around it. Apparently the soil is acidic, and well moist. If the plant is left to grow it will reach its optimum size.

Stinging nettle’s leaves are soft green oval with pointed tips, and toothed. 

They grow up to 8 cm in opposite pairs.

Stinging nettle’s flowers are pendulous catkins produced from June to September on separate sex-plants.

The plant is very important source of food for many larvae species.