Nettle, Stinging Perennial
Urtica dioica
Family: Urticaceae
Herbaceous perennial. Native to temperate climates world-wide.
Official variety. In the early spring find Chickweed overrunning
the rich garden beds, Dandelion in the upland pastures, Dock in the lower
pastures, Watercress where the stream runs cold into a pool and Nettles
along the edge of the stream. Used together as spring vegetables,
salad or tea, the fresher the better, they cleanse and build the blood.
Nettles is especially rich in trace minerals, potassium and the blood-like
molecule known as chlorophyll. Wait until the little Nettles are
four inches high or so, and snip them off. They must be lightly steamed
to disarm their stinging hairs. Eat the Nettles, and drink the water
in which they were steamed. Cultivation: Extra care.
Sow in fall or very early spring for germ. in spring. To naturalize,
transplant seedlings 6 inches apart to an area of dappled shade near running
water. Grows to 4 feet.
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