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Urticaceae FAMILY

Urtica thunbergiana

Urtica thunbergiana

Edibility
3/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

The leaves of the plants have stinging hairs, causing irritation to the skin[ 21 Title The Herb Book. Publication Author Lust. J. Publisher Bantam books Year 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2 Description Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book. , 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. This action is neutralized by heat so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe and nutritious[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. However, only young leaves should be used because older leaves develop gritty particles called cystoliths which act as an irritant to the kidneys[ 172 Title Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. Publication Author Schofield. J. J. Publisher Alaska Northwest Books; Alaska Year 2003 ISBN 0882403699 Description A nice guide to some useful plants in that area. ].

Botanical Description

Urtica thunbergiana is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.75 metres tall. It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate
Native RangeE. Asia - China, Japan.
HabitatWoods in mountains, C. and S. Japan[ 58 Title Flora of Japan. (English translation) Publication Author Ohwi. G. Publisher Smithsonian Institution Year 1965 ISBN - Description The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader. ]. Shady, moist places in forests, along streams and in valleys at elevations of 1200 - 2500 metres in Taiwan and western Yunnan[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ].