Plant Profile: Urtica chamaedryoides

The fiber from the stems has been used to make clothing. They have been used medicinally to treat allergies, and respiratory issues.

Central and Southeastern U.S.A. to Guatemala

AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , KS , KY , LA , MA , MO , MS , NC , NY , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , WV

This plant supports the following larvae: Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Question Mark Butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis). Questionmark butterflies have an interesting life cycles: overwintered adult Question Mark butterflies lay eggs from spring until the end of May. These will appear as summer adults from May-September, laying eggs that then develop into the winter adult form. The winter adults appear in late August and shelter for the winter starting the cycle all over again. Adult Question Mark butterflies feed on rotting fruit, tree sap, dung, and carrion only visiting flowers for feeding when absolutely necessary. Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) rarely use this host plant in North Carolina.

Leaves and stems are edible once cooked, dried, wilted, or refrigerated as that seems to take out the "sting" from the prolific hairs. It tastes similar to spinach, is high in many vitamins and minerals and can be used in the same ways. Do not eat the plant after flowering.

Annual

Seed