Content
- Around the nettle - a profile
- Notable facts in the overview
- A plant, many names
- From the stem, over the leaves to the flowers
- Where does this wild herb grow best?
- Tips
The nettle can grow up to three meters high
Around the nettle - a profile
About the stinging nettle you could write whole book series. But that would probably be less attractive to you, to inform yourself briefly about this wild plant. Here are all the important facts about the stinging nettle summarized briefly and understandable.
Notable facts in the overview
A plant, many names
While her scientific name is Urtica, she has many more popular names. These include, among others: hair nettle, hemp nettle, sauna chair, Habernessel, Taunessel and Nettel. The term 'nettle', which occurs in almost every name, refers to the nettle poison that sits in the fine hairs.
From the stem, over the leaves to the flowers
This is a herbaceous medicinal plant. Depending on the species - the most well-known in this country are the large nettle and the small nettle - this plant can grow up to 3 m high. Their stems stand upright and are angular in cross-section.
The leaves and bristle stalks rest on the opposite side. They are stalked and heart-shaped at the base. Long stinging hairs occur mainly on their underside. These are to protect the plant from predators. In it is the nettle poison, which is harmless to humans.
From late June / early July, the flowers of nettle present. Its flowering time lasts until September. They are inconspicuous and are in panicles together. From them develop in the autumn 1 mm long nut fruits, each with a seed.
Where does this wild herb grow best?
The nettle grows best on nutrient-rich soils. It is a pointer plant for nitrogen-rich, but also humus and moist soils. It is most abundant in sunny to partially shaded spots.
Tips
The nettle is rich in nutrients and healing substances. It can be consumed and acts as a diuretic, blood-purifying, digestive and anti-inflammatory.