Urtica ardens

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. The rhizomes are woody. The stems are branched. It grows 1.5 m tall. It has some stinging hairs. The leaf blade is narrowly oval and 5-15 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. There are teeth around the edge.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in open or slightly shady places in forests. In south China it grows near streams between 2,400-2,700 m above sea level. In Yunnan. In India it is recorded up to 5,940 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Sikkim, Tibet

How it is used for food

The leaves, flowers and fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bichchhu ghas, Kushka, Sadder, Sisno-ghariya

Synonyms

Urtica himalayensis Kunth & Bouche; Urtica mairei var. oblongifolia C. J. Chen; Urtica zayuensis C. J. Chen;