Laportea canadensis

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Urticaceae
Genus: Laportea
Species:
L. canadensis
Binomial name
Laportea canadensis
Synonyms[2]
  • Laportea canadensis (L.) Gaudich.
  • Laportea divaricata (L.) Lunell
  • Laportea pustulata (Liebm.) Wedd.
  • Urtica canadensis L.
  • Urtica divaricata L.
  • Urtica pustulata Liebm.
  • Urticastrum divaricatum (L.) Kuntze

Laportea canadensis, commonly called Canada nettle[3] or wood-nettle, is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant of the nettle family Urticaceae, native to eastern and central North America. It is found growing in open woods with moist rich soils and along streams and in drainages.[4]

Description

Laportea canadensis grows from tuberous roots to a height of 30 to 150 centimeters, and can be rhizomatous, growing into small clumps. Plants have both stinging and non-stinging hairs on the foliage and the stems. It has whitish green flowers, produced from spring to early fall. Unlike its cousin, the common nettle, Laportea canadensis has alternate leaves. The bulk of its foliage also grows notably high on the stem.

Sting

When the stinging nettles come in contact with the skin, the unlucky individual is dealt a painful burning stinging sensation, sometimes with barbs left in the skin. The skin can turn red and blister, and blisters can last for several days.

References

  1. ↑ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org.
  2. ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
  3. ↑ "Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System". Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  4. ↑ David E. Boufford. "Urticaceae". Flora of North America.


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