| Plants of the Forest | |||
| Common Name: | Stinging Nettle | Scientific Name: | Urtica holsericea |
| Blooms: | May - October | Native: | Yes. Native of the area |
| Special Comments: | Stinging nettle grows on the Aptos Creek flood plain, on the eastern side of the creek. Look for a tall plant with large green leaves covered with small hairs. These small hairs contain poisons which sting or prickle the skin when touched. The skin irritation caused by brushing up against the nettle can last as long as three days. Stinging nettle can grow to six feet, although the ones in Marcel's Forest are more often around three to four feet tall. Stinging nettle's smaller relative, hedge nettle, is seen throughout the park, but is not a skin-irritant. |
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