Urtica dioica L.
perennial nettle
Rhizomatous, erect perennial, usually dioecious, rarely with a few fls of the other sex, moderately clothed in short-stalked stinging hairs, otherwise sparsely to densely hairy. Stems with few if any lateral branches, up to 1.5 m high. Lvs broadly lanceolate or ovate, acute to acuminate, usually cordate at base, occasionally truncate, coarsely serrate, (5)-6-20-(25) cm long. Petiole up to ⅔ as long as lamina. Stipules 4 per node, entire, 4-20 mm long. Racemes unisexual, up to 9 cm long. Perianth segments of ♀ fls very unequal, hairy; margins glabrous. Achene ellipsoid, light brown, c. 1.5 mm long.
Key
1
Lvs ovate
* subsp dioica
Lvs narrowly to broadly lanceolate
* subsp gracilis
Two subspp. can be distinguished in N.Z.
