STINGING NETTLE

Urtica dioica

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CLASSIFICATION—
Flowering Perennial

 

Upright herb with serrated leaves
Covered in fine stinging hairs
Growing in rich, disturbed soils
Often forming dense colonies

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SEASON—
Young leaves gathered in spring
Seeds harvested late summer
Roots lifted in autumn

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ARCHIVE—

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John Gerard — The Herball, 1597
"The leaves be covered over with little prickles or haires, very sharp."

European countryside tradition

Among the first wild greens gathered each spring after winter had passed.

Historic textile record
Nettle fiber woven into cloth, rope, fishing nets, and cordage throughout Europe.

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CORRESPONDENCES—
Mars

Spring
Protection
Renewal

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NAMES—
Stinging Nettle
Common Nettle
Great Nettle
Burn Nettle