Urtica dioica

Species category

Weed

Common name

stinging nettle, California nettle, slender nettle, tall nettle

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

Elliptic 

Size

  • Length 0.9–1.3 mm 
  • Width 0.6–0.8 mm 
  • Thickness 0.2–0.4 mm 

Color

Brown

Texture

Granular 

Other structures

The acheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
is often enclosed in sepals.

Identification notes

When sepals are present, they contain appressedAppressed:
Pressed close or lying flat against something.
hairs.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Urticaceae

Valid name

Urtica dioica L.

 Urtica dioic.  Achenes that are often enclosed in sepals.
Urtica dioic. Achenes that are often enclosed in sepals.
 Urtica dioic.  Achenes that are often enclosed in sepals.
Urtica dioic. Achenes that are often enclosed in sepals.