[Wildflowers with Tiny Flowers in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Stinging Nettles in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington

The Genus Urtica

Giant Creek Nettle, Hoary Nettle, Modoc Nettle, Mountain Nettle, Stinging Nettle: Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea (Synonym: Urtica dioica var. holosericea, Urtica holosericea)

The photo above shows hoary nettles (Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea) as seen along a small creek about 2 miles west of Biggs, OR........October 7, 2006. Note that this variety seems to have narrower leaf blades than var. lyallii from the west gorge.

Pennsylvania Cucumber Plant, Pennsylvania Pellitory, Rock Pellitory: Parietaria pensylvanica (Synonym: Parietaria pennsylvanica)

American Stinging Nettle, California Nettle, Northwest Nettle, Stinging Nettles: Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis (Synonyms: Urtica dioica var. angustifolia, Urtica dioica var. californica, Urtica dioica var. gracilis, Urtica dioica var. lyallii, Urtica dioica var. procera, Urtica gracilis, Urtica lyallii) - Native. Erect plants with one to several stems, the stems square in outline with opposite leaves. The serrate leaves bear numerous stinging hairs on the underside of the blades, along the petioles, and along the edges of the stems. The minute flowers are in pendant, axillary clusters.

Giant Creek Nettle, Hoary Nettle, Modoc Nettle, Mountain Nettle, Stinging Nettle: Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea (Synonym: Urtica dioica var. holosericea, Urtica holosericea) - Native.

Annual Nettle, Burning Nettle, Dwarf Nettle, Small Nettle: Urtica urens - Naturalized.


Paul Slichter