Eucnide urens – “Velcro Plant”

Also Known As: Desert Rock Nettle, Desert Bush Nettle, Desert Stingbush, Vegetable Velcro
Family: Loasa (Loasaceae)
Bloom Period: Apr-Jun
Form: Perennial herb
Habitat: Cliffs, rocky slopes, washes;
Leaves: Ovate, irregularly-toothed, dull gray-green; alternate
Translation: “Eucnide” comes from Greek “eu” which is “good or pretty,” plus “knide,” their name for “stinging nettle,” so this a pretty nettle-like plant (not going to argue with that); “urens” is Latin for “stinging” which this plant does, with hairs on the leaves, stems and buds.
Notes: These shrubs are low-growing but can be covered with hundreds of their distinctive, pointy-petaled flowers.
Animal relationships: Desert Bighorn Sheep eat the flowers.