The BioFiles - Bill Hubick

    Canadian Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis)

    Source: Wikipedia

    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

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    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

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    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

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    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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