Leslie Massey
Stinging nettles, or Urtica dioica, are perennial herbs that spread by seed and underground rhizomes. They are native to Europe, North America, Asia, and Northern Africa, and have a long history of use that dates back to 3000 BCE. While stinging nettles are not native to Australia, the country is home to several species of stinging trees, including Dendrocnide moroides, commonly known as the stinging tree, stinging bush, or gympie-gympie, which is found in rainforest areas. These trees produce an extremely painful and long-lasting sting due to toxins released by their fine hairs, which can cause symptoms such as urticaria (hives) and swelling of the lymph glands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Stinging nettle, Devil's Toilet Paper, gympie-gympie |
| Botanical name | Urtica dioica, Urtica urens, Dendrocnide moroides, Dendrocnide excelsa |
| Family | Urticaceae |
| Habitat | Rainforest areas of Malesia and Australia, Cape York Peninsula, northern New South Wales, Queensland, Atherton Tablelands, eastern Australia |
| Soil type | Moist, rich, nitrogen and phosphorus-rich |
| Sunlight | Full or part sun |
| Height | Up to 10m |
| Toxicity | Covered in hollow, needle-like hairs called trichomes which contain toxins that cause severe pain and burning sensation |
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What You'll Learn
- Stinging nettle is not an invasive weed in Australia
- Nettles spread quickly and grow in moist, rich soil
- Nettles are a good indicator of soil nutrient levels
- Nettles can be eaten when young, but must be cooked or dried
- Dendrocnide moroides is native to Australia and is the most venomous plant in the world
Stinging nettle is not an invasive weed in Australia
Stinging nettles are not declared invasive weeds in Australia. However, they can spread quickly, like mint, and pop up as weeds in compost or around animal enclosures. They are native to Europe, North America, Asia, and Northern Africa, and have been used by humans for thousands of years. They are a perennial herb that spreads by seed and underground rhizomes. The upright stems can grow to be a metre or more in height and are covered in fine hairs or trichomes that inject histamine and other toxins into the skin when touched, causing irritation and pain.
In Australia, the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is commonly referred to as the stinging tree, stinging bush, or gympie-gympie. It is found in rainforest areas and is notorious for its extremely painful and long-lasting sting. The plant is sometimes called the "suicide plant" due to its intense effects. The indigenous Gubbi Gubbi people of south-eastern Queensland use the name gympie-gympie for the plant.
The stinging nettle is an early colonizer, often taking root in disturbed soil, such as in rainforest gaps, alongside watercourses and roads, around tree falls, and in man-made clearings. The seeds germinate in full sunlight after soil disturbance. It is common in Queensland but rare in the southernmost part of its range, listed as an endangered species in New South Wales.
Despite its painful sting, the stinging nettle has a variety of uses. Indigenous Australians ate the leaves after baking them between hot stones, considering them a tasty vegetable. Colonists used the leaves to make a tonic for "clearing the blood." Stinging nettles have also been used in medicine, with a long history of use dating back to the Middle Ages. They have been used to treat sore joints and muscles, gout, anaemia, urinary tract issues, allergies, insect bites, and sprains. In addition, stinging nettles are useful for gardeners as they attract pollinators and can be used as a compost accelerant.
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Nettles spread quickly and grow in moist, rich soil
Stinging nettles, or Urtica dioica, are native to Europe, North America, Asia, and Northern Africa. They are now found worldwide, including in Australia.
Nettles are known for their rapid growth and spread, especially in moist, rich soil. They have a preference for nitrogen and phosphorus-rich soil, which is why they often pop up as weeds in compost or around animal enclosures. Nettles thrive in full sun but tolerate some shade, and they grow well in all climate conditions across their hardiness range (USDA Zones 3 to 10). They are more at home in humid climates but will grow in dry conditions as long as they have adequate soil moisture.
Nettles spread by seed and underground rhizomes, and their upright stems can grow over a metre in height. The leaves and stems are covered in fine hairs or trichomes that can pierce the skin and release histamine, causing skin irritation. These hairs can also become airborne and inhaled, leading to respiratory issues for those who spend time near the plant.
Due to their rapid spread, nettles can quickly become invasive and take over a garden. They are difficult to remove once established, as even small root pieces can sprout new plants. To prevent unwanted spreading, gardeners are advised to remove the flowers and seed heads as they form and to regularly harvest the plants.
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Nettles are a good indicator of soil nutrient levels
Stinging nettles, or Dendrocnide moroides, are native to rainforest areas in Malesia and Australia. They are found in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Nettles are fast-growing plants that thrive in nitrogen and phosphorus-rich soil. They are often found in compost or around animal enclosures. Nettles can be cultivated as a nutritional powerhouse and versatile herb. They are also used in medicine and the culinary arts.
Nettle fertilizer can be made by steeping nettles in boiling water or by filling a jar with the leaves and stems, bruising the foliage, and then covering it with water. The liquid can then be diluted and used to water plants. Nettle fertilizer works best on leafy plants and heavy feeders. However, some plants, like tomatoes and roses, do not respond well to the high iron levels in nettle fertilizer.
Nettles are also useful for attracting pollinators and can be added to compost to stimulate decomposition. When used as fertilizer or compost, nettles release their accumulated minerals, enriching the soil. While nettles can be beneficial, they should be handled with care due to their painful sting, which can cause skin irritation.
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Nettles can be eaten when young, but must be cooked or dried
Stinging nettles (Urtica gracilis, dioica, urens, and others) are commonly found in Australia in the rainforest areas of Malesia and Queensland. The species, Dendrocnide moroides, is commonly known as the stinging tree, stinging bush, or gympie-gympie. It is notorious for its extremely painful and long-lasting sting, earning it the colloquial name "suicide plant".
Despite the sting, nettles can be eaten and are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. They are commonly eaten in Europe, Turkey, Nepal, India, Italy, and Scandinavia. Nettles can be eaten when young but must be cooked or dried to neutralize the sting. When cooking nettles, it is recommended to harvest them with thick gloves or sleeves to avoid direct contact with the skin. They can be boiled, steamed, or pureed and used as a side dish or in recipes such as frittatas, soups, and steamed greens.
If you wish to dry your nettles, you must first harvest them and then wash them in cold water. Repeat this process in a fresh bowl of water, then drain and remove surface moisture by patting the nettles with a clean towel. The next step is to dry the nettles in a dehydrator or by air-drying them. Spread the stems and leaves on drying trays and set the temperature to 95°F or 35°C. Leave them to dry for 12 to 18 hours, or until the stems are dry. You can also air-dry nettles by spreading them on brown paper and leaving them in a warm, sunny location for about a week, stirring occasionally, until they are thoroughly dry.
Once your nettles are dried, they can be stored in paper bags or glass jars and kept in a cool, dark, dry place. Dried nettles can be used to make herbal tea blends, added to soups, stews, casseroles, or turned into a powder and used in smoothies, baking, or pasta.
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Dendrocnide moroides is native to Australia and is the most venomous plant in the world
Stinging nettles, or Urtica dioica, are native to Europe, North America, Asia, and Northern Africa. They are known for their upright stems, which can grow to be a metre or more in height, and their soft, serrated green leaves, which are covered in fine hairs or trichomes. These hairs contain histamine and other chemicals that cause skin irritation when touched. While stinging nettles are not native to Australia, another species of nettle, Dendrocnide moroides, is.
Dendrocnide moroides, commonly known as the stinging tree, stinging bush, or gympie-gympie, is a plant in the nettle family Urticaceae. It is native to Australia and is found in rainforest areas, particularly in Queensland, from Cape York Peninsula south to northern New South Wales. The common name gympie-gympie comes from the language of the indigenous Gubbi Gubbi people of south-eastern Queensland. D. moroides is a perennial shrub that usually grows to about 3 meters tall but can reach up to 10 meters in height.
D. moroides is notorious for its extremely painful and long-lasting sting, which has led to it being called the "suicide plant." The sting causes an immediate severe burning and stinging sensation that intensifies over 20 to 30 minutes and can last for several days or even months. During this time, victims may experience sleep disturbances due to the intensity of the pain. In severe cases, the sting can cause urticaria (hives), swollen lymph glands, and even hospitalization. The plant is covered in very fine, brittle hairs called trichomes that are loaded with toxins. These trichomes can easily embed themselves in the skin and cause the intense pain associated with the plant.
The pain caused by D. moroides is not limited to direct contact with the plant. The trichomes are constantly shed and can become airborne, leading to potential respiratory complications for those who inhale them. This was documented by Australian entomologist and ecologist Marina Hurley, who studied two Dendrocnide species, including D. moroides, and experienced sneezing fits, watery eyes and nose, and the development of an allergy that required medical attention.
Due to its extremely venomous nature, D. moroides is often considered the most venomous plant in Australia, if not the world. Its toxic nature also makes it a natural pesticide, as the plant serves as a host for the larvae of the white nymph butterfly, which are immune to its neurotoxins. Various insects, such as the nocturnal beetle Prasyptera mastersi and the moth Prorodes mimica, also feed on its leaves. Fruits produced by D. moroides are consumed by birds, which then distribute the seeds in their droppings.
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Frequently asked questions
Stinging nettles are found in rainforest areas of Australia. They are usually found in areas with disturbed or cultivated soil, and their presence indicates that the soil is high in nutrients, especially phosphorus.
The scientific name for the stinging nettle in Australia is Dendrocnide moroides. It is also known colloquially as the "suicide plant" and is reputed to be the most venomous plant in Australia and even the world.
The Dendrocnide moroides is a straggly perennial shrub that usually flowers and fruits when it is less than 3 meters tall but can reach up to 10 meters in height.
The Dendrocnide moroides is covered in hollow, needle-like hairs called trichomes that contain toxins. If you come into contact with the plant, these hairs will embed themselves in your skin and release toxins that cause an immediate severe burning and stinging sensation. The pain can last from hours to several days and may even cause urticaria (hives).
