Urtica dioica, SE: Brännässla, DE: Große Brennnessel,
NL: Grote brandnetel, UK: Stinging nettle, Common Nettle

Scientific name:  Urtica dioica L.
Swedish name:  Brännässla
German name:  Große Brennnessel
Nederlandse naam:  Grote brandnetel
English name:  Stinging nettle, Common Nettle
Family:  Urticaceae, Nettle Family, Nässelväxter

Vilda blommor i Sverige, Sweden Flora, Jamtland, Ragunda, Hammarstrand, Wildflowers

Life form:  Perennial
Stems:  Height 30–150 cm, erect, leafy stems, stinging hairs (knob-like tip of the hair comes of at contact, and the hollow needle penetrates the skin releasing a burning acid mixture)
Leaves:  Opposite, entire, serrate
Flowers:  Small and greenish flowers, growing in large, compound clusters from the axils of the upper leaves
Flowering Period:  July, August
Fruits:  Yellowish, oval, flat achene
Habitat:  Forest, thicket, bogs, marshes, pastureland, meadows, farmland, settlements

Urtica dioica, Brännässla, Große Brennnessel, Grote brandnetel, Common Nettle


Derivation of the botanical name:
Urtica from Latin uro, "I burn," alluding to the nettle's sting, the stinging nettle.
dioica, Greek for "two houses", di, between, away from; oicos, οικοϛ, house, dwelling, (lit. 2 houses referring to male and female parts on different plants).
  • The standard author abbreviation L. is used to indicate Carl Linnaeus (1707 – 1778), a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, the father of modern taxonomy.

Vilda blommor i Sverige