Coast hedge-nettle is a fairly attractive perennial arising 30-80 cm high. It is somewhat similar in appearance to great hedge-nettle but the former is smaller in stature, and has longer, more spreading hairs on the stem. The leaves of coast hedge-nettle are narrowly oblong to oblong-ovate in shape with a rounded to shallowly-cordate base and toothed margins. The leaves measure from 6-12 cm long with the lower leaves having petioles as long as the blades, the upper with shorter petioles.
The inflorescence consists of whorls of axillary flowers topped by a spike of additional flowers. The calyx is narrowly bell-shaped to nearly cylindrical, ranging from 6-8 mm long. The tube of the corolla ranges from 8-13 mm long with the lower lobes reflexed downward about 90¾ from the axis of the tube. The corolla is a light red mottled with white splotches.
Coast hedge-nettle is found in moist woods and in swamps, especially near the Pacific coast.
Coast hedge-nettle is found from southern British Columbia south near the coast to northern California and east to the Puget Trough and Willamette Valley.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations of 600'-1600' between Crown Point and Angel's Rest.
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