Dwarf Nettle
ExplorePlants
Dwarf Nettle
Urtica urens
Dwarf Nettle is a small plant with tiny, stinging hairs. It grows in many places and can be found in gardens and fields. Be careful, as it can give a little sting if you touch it!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Dwarf Nettle is a small, upright plant with soft green, oval-shaped leaves that have serrated edges. Its tiny, green-brown flowers grow in clusters where the leaves meet the stem, making them easy to miss. It differs from other nettles by its smaller stature and generally lighter green foliage.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyUrticaceaeGenusUrtica
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient Romans sometimes used nettles to warm themselves by whipping their skin!
Even though it stings, some butterfly caterpillars munch its leaves for food!
Its tiny hairs act like miniature hypodermic needles, delivering a mild sting!
This plant loves disturbed ground, often popping up where soil has been recently moved!
Special abilities
Ability
Stinging Shield
Dwarf Nettle has hollow, needle-like hairs that inject irritants when touched, helping it deter hungry animals.
Ability
Rapid Colonizer
Dwarf Nettle can grow and produce seeds very quickly, allowing it to rapidly spread in disturbed soils.
Ability
Soil Seeker
Dwarf Nettle thrives in nitrogen-rich soil, making it a natural indicator of fertile ground for other plants.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-60 cm
- Spread
- 5-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.1-0.3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eats
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
Larvae munch its leaves
eats
Small Tortoiseshell
Aglais urticae
Caterpillars feed on foliage
eats
Wavy-striped flea beetle
Phyllotreta undulata
Adults chew holes in leaves
Traits
Herbaceous
Herbaceous plants are non-woody plants with soft stems that typically die back to the ground at the end of the growing season.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch the plant without asking an adult, as it can sting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Dwarf Nettle?
10-60 cm
How wide does Dwarf Nettle spread?
5-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Dwarf Nettle?
0.1-0.3 cm
When does Dwarf Nettle bloom?
Spring to fall
Is Dwarf Nettle edible?
Yes
Is Dwarf Nettle toxic?
Mild
What is Dwarf Nettle's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Dwarf Nettle pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
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