Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Urticaceae

Genus:

Urtica

Species:

Urtica urens

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Annual

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

1-2 ft

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

may, oct

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

good drainage preferred

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

thrives in disturbed soils with high fertility