Canadian wood-nettle

Images

Click on image to view full size

Canadian wood-nettle fruit

Canadian wood-nettle

Canadian wood-nettle

Canadian wood-nettle

Canadian wood-nettle inflorescence

Canadian wood-nettle leaf

Canadian wood-nettle inflorescence

Canadian wood-nettle habit

Morphology

Stem

Erect, simple. Plants monoecious, finely hispid and with stinging hairs, from rhizomes.

Leaves

Cauline, alternate, simple; petiole 1.2 to 4.3 inches; blade ovate, 3 to 8 inches long, 2 to 5 inches wide, margins serrate, tip acuminate.

Inflorescence

Cymes arranged in panicles, axillary and terminal.

Flower

Unisexual, lower panicles staminate, upper panicles pistillate; staminate flower tepals 5, distinct, stamens 5; pistillate flower tepals 2 to 4, distinct; style 1, persistent; stigma extending down side of style.

Fruit

Achenes orbicular, 1/12 to 1/8 inch, not enclosed by tepals.

Ecology

Habitat

Rich, moist woods and shaded floodplains

Distribution

East 2/5 of Kansas

Practical Information

Uses

Native Americans took a decoction of the plant to treat fevers and counteract poisons; used an infusion of the root for urinary ailments; and made cord from the braided inner bark fibers.

Additional Notes