Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses - Canadian wood-nettle

CANADIAN WOOD-NETTLE

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Laportea canadensis (L. ) Gaudich.

Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, Newton County, Missouri

Perennial

Height: 16-52 inches

Family: Urticaceae - Nettle Family

Flowering Period: July, August, September

Stems:

Erect, simple. Plants monoecious, finely hispid and with stinging hairs, from rhizomes.

Leaves:

Cauline, alternate, simple; petiole 1.2 to 4.3 inches; blade ovate, 3 to 8 inches long, 2 to 5 inches wide, margins serrate, tip acuminate.

Inflorescences:

Cymes arranged in panicles, axillary and terminal.

Flowers:

Unisexual, lower panicles staminate, upper panicles pistillate; staminate flower tepals 5, distinct, stamens 5; pistillate flower tepals 2 to 4, distinct; style 1, persistent; stigma extending down side of style.

Fruits:

Achenes orbicular, 1/12 to 1/8 inch, not enclosed by tepals.

Habitat:

Rich, moist woods and shaded floodplains

Distribution:

East 2/5 of Kansas

Origin:

Native

Uses:

Native Americans took a decoction of the plant to treat fevers and counteract poisons; used an infusion of the root for urinary ailments; and made cord from the braided inner bark fibers.

Comments:

Named for entomologist Francois de Laporte.

Canadian wood-nettle