Bugrun, Nettle tree
Urera baccifera

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. It has spines and stinging hairs. The leaves are 25 cm long by 12.5 cm wide and have teeth along the edge. They have long leaf stalks. The flowers are a cluster of pink or purple. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The fruit is spongy and juicy and green to pink.

There are about 40 Urera species. They are in the tropics. It has anti-inflammatory medicinal properties.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in moist forests but needs a sunny position.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Caribbean, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Trinidad, Venezuela, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Caution. The leaves can cause very serious stinging.

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves, fruit

How it is grown

It can be used as a hedge.

Its other names

Local names

Aya chini, Bento, Cansancao-roxa, Chachapa anco'si, Chichicaste, Chini panka, Chukta chini, Guaritoto, Hatun chini, Ishanga, Kiru sapa chini, Kukupa chini, Mala mujer, Manman guepes, Nana-miitosusi, Nigua, Ortiga, Ortiguilla, Pe tini, Pringamoza, Puka chini, Scratchbush, Sinalwo, Urtiga-branca, Urtiga-da-folha-grande, Urtigao, Urtigao-bravo, Urtigao-da-serra, Urtiga-vermelha, Wento, Yuturi chini

Synonyms

Urera armigera (C.Presl) Miq.; Urera baccifera var. horrida (Kunth) Wedd.; Urera denticulata Miq.; Urera horrida (Kunth) Miq.; Urera nitida (Vell.) P.Brack; Urtica armigera C.Presl; Urtica baccifera L.; Urtica grandidentata Liebm.; Urtica horrida Kunth; Urtica nitida Vell.;