Himalayan nettle
Girardinia diversifolia

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A stout herb. It is an annual plant. It grows to 3 m high. The leaves are 10-24 cm long by 7-18 cm wide. It is divided deeply like fingers on a hand. There are teeth around the edge. They are covered with long stinging hairs. The base has 3 ribs. The flowers are yellow. They are clustered in a loose flower cluster.

There are 2 Girardinia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1200-3000 m altitude. It grows in moist, shady forested areas. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,710 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Bhutan, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Korea, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Senegal, Sikkim, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tibet, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves and flowers are cooked as a vegetable. They are also used in soup. They are also used in curry. The roasted seeds are pickled.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or root offshoots.

Its other names

Local names

Allo, Allo sisnu, Bhyngre sisnu, Bhangray sisnu, Bolodzi, Chalne sisnu, Doba, Faskanandan, Germa, Han zhan, Hidi, Imbabazane, Jeni, Kang-thai, Lekali sisnu, Malemau, Mu la, Murosha, Ni polu, Oguma, Pa bie, Pospay, Puwa, Sisnu, Vofa, Volodzi, Wung-kor, Zenya

Synonyms

Girardinia adoensis (Steud.) Wedd.; Girardinia armata Kunth.; Girardinia condensata (Steud.) Wedd.; Girardinia heterophylla (Vahl.) Decne.; Girardinia palmata Gaud.-Beau; Urtica diversifolia Link.; Urtica heterophylla Vahl.; and others