Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle Plants, Foliage
This photo shows stinging nettle plants, Urtica dioica. If you live in Europe, Eastern North America, or other places where these plants are found, it can be valuable to familiarize yourself with the appearance of this plant, as it produces a painful sting immediately upon touching it, especially if it contacts sensitive areas like the inside of your arm or the back of your leg.
Although it produces a painful sting, it is not particularly dangerous, and the plant is actually edible if processed properly. Upon cooking, or drying and steeping in hot water, the stinging hairs disintegrate. The plant is nutritious as a cooked green, and also produces an herbal tea that has numerous medicinal properties and health benefits.
This image is featured in our article on Nettle Tea.
