Urtica dioica subsp. holosericea – “Hoary Stinging Nettle”

Family: Nettle (Urticaceae)
Bloom Period: Jun-Sep
Form: Annual or perennial herb
Habitat: Sandy and gravelly soils in moist places such as seeps and streams
Leaves: Narrow-lanceolate to wide-ovate, margins toothed; opposite
Translation: “Urtica” is derived from the Latin verb, “to burn,” which obviously describes the stinging experienced when the plant is touched; “dioeca” refers to the fact that this plant is dioecious, which means the male and female flowers are on separate plants”; “holosericea” is Latin for “woolly-silky,” which describes the hairy appearance of the plant.
Notes: This plant is dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants. If touched, the stinging hairs can cause reactions ranging from mild tingling to a full-blown rash. As a bio-accumulator, it uptakes a wide variety of minerals, and so can be quite nutritious as a food (cooking removes the stinging effect) and beneficial as a mulch or an ingredient in compost-tea. However, it also uptakes toxic chemicals, so harvesting for consumption or gardening should never take place in potentially polluted areas, such as industrial or agricultural zones, where it often thrives.
Native American Uses: The Cahuilla ate the greens, which are high in minerals, raw or cooked. Used topically to treat rheumatism, arthritis, and sore muscles by the Cahuilla, Kawaiisu, Kumeyaay and Mahuna. The cordage was utilized by the Cahuilla for baskets and bowstrings, by the Kawaiisu for making nets for toting and trapping, and by the Luiseño for making aprons, bowstrings, slings, sacks for storing acorns and other seeds, and nets for hunting, fishing and carrying heavy items. Kawaiisu children walked through patches of nettles to toughen their skin, and ceremonially to induce dreams and to “prepare them for practice of witchcraft” (Moerman). Young Kumeyaay men were whipped with the branches as part of ceremonies to learn ritual dancing.
Animal Associations: Larval food for a number of butterflies, including the Satyr Comma, Painted Lady, West Coast Lady, and Red Admiral.