Pellitory of the wall
Parietaria judaica

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A perennial herb which grows 60 cm tall. It spreads to 60 cm across. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. The leaves are oval and have hairs on the veins underneath. The flowers are green and in clusters in the axils of the leaves. The flowers are either male or female and borne on the same plant.

There are about 20 Parietaria species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on hedgebanks and dry walls. It does best in an alkaline soil. It grows in well drained to dry soils and can grow in full sun or light shade. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Hobart Botanical Gardens 1

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, Europe (country/location of origin), France, Haiti, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, New Zealand, Palestine, Paraguay, Sicily, South America, Spain, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. They are easily grown by division of the clump in spring.

Its other names

Local names

Erva-de-santaana, Hierba de los gatos, Hierba de los muros, Parietaire, Parietaria, Pellitory-of-the-wall, Quebra-paredes, Spreading Pellitory, Wila itapallo, Yerba de las murallas

Synonyms

Parietaria officinalis subsp. judaica (L.) Beg.; Parietaria diffusa (Mert. & W.D.J.Koch.); Parietaria ramiflora (Auct.);