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spurge nettle
ExplorePlants
spurge nettle
Cnidoscolus stimulosus
Spurge nettle is a prickly plant that can be found in warm, sunny places. It has big, green leaves and tiny flowers that are not very noticeable. Be careful, as it can sting if you touch it!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The spurge nettle has deeply lobed, palmate leaves covered in stiff, hollow stinging hairs, making it look spiky. Its small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers grow in clusters at the stem tips, and it can reach up to three feet tall. It stands out with its broad, hand-shaped leaves compared to true nettles.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilyEuphorbiaceaeGenusCnidoscolus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Despite its name, it's not a 'true' nettle like other stinging plants!
Even a gentle brush can trigger its super-sharp stinging hairs.
Some tiny insects can walk right over its stingers without harm!
The sting from this plant can feel like a tiny electric shock!
Special abilities
Ability
Sting Defense
Spurge nettle has hollow, barbed hairs that inject irritating chemicals to protect it from hungry animals.
Ability
Deep Drinker
Spurge nettle can grow a very long taproot, helping it find water deep underground in dry, sandy soils.
Ability
Explosive Seeds
This plant can forcefully eject its seeds far away, spreading its offspring to new locations.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Moderate
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
gathers nectar and pollen
pollinates
Common eastern bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
collects pollen and nectar
eats
Oleander aphid
Aphis nerii
sucks sap from stems and leaves
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
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.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Don't touch the leaves without asking an adult, as they can sting!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is spurge nettle?
30-90 cm
How wide does spurge nettle spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on spurge nettle?
0.5-1 cm
When does spurge nettle bloom?
Spring to fall
Is spurge nettle edible?
No
Is spurge nettle toxic?
Moderate
What is spurge nettle's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is spurge nettle pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park14 sightings9 species
Florida, US
Doctor Julian G. Bruce Saint George Island State Park
You might spot False Rosemary, Florida Rosemary, and Sanderling.
View guide →
Park21 sightings9 species
Georgia, US
Lake Seminole
You might spot Red-Headed Woodpecker and American White Waterlily.
View guide →
Park20 sightings8 species
North Carolina, US
Singletary Lake State Park
You might spot Spiny Spikemoss, Mountain Laurel, and Longleaf Pine.
View guide →
Park30 sightings3 species
Florida, US
Anastasia State Park
You might spot Roseate Spoonbill, Tricolored Heron, and Great Egret.
View guide →
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