MICHIGAN WEEDS. 



305 



NETTLE FAMILY. URTICACEAE. 



There are about 475 species of nettles and nearly related plants of wide distribution, mostly 

 insignificant in appearance and economic value; all of them herbs, or, as some join the elms and mul- 

 berries with the nettles, the family then contains about 1,550 species. 



Fig. 29. 



Stinging Nettle. Great Nettle. Urtica 

 dioica L. A rather stout, vigorous, stinging 

 perennial, 60-90 cm. high; leaves ovate, heart- 

 shaped, apex acuminate; flower clusters large, 

 much branched, mostly dioecious. Waste 

 places. Lansing, Bay City, Manistee. In- 

 troduced from Europe. 



Fig. 30 (30). 



Slender Nettle. Urtica gracilis Ait. A 

 slender perennial, sparingly branched, 30-180 

 cm. high, armed with stinging hairs; leaves 

 narrow, 5-10 cm. long. Moist soil, common. 



