Scientific Name

Urtica dioica

Common Nettle

Common Name

Nettle. Other: Devils leaf, Hegbeg, Coolfaugh.

Type

Herbaceous perennial

Description

Upright single stemmed. Hairy leaves. Serrate leaves. Grows to 5ft Summer flowers.

Habitat

Waste land, urban sites, woodland, rubble.

Folklore

Used to ward witches from milk. Used for a herbal tea and fertiliser. Boiled as vegetable. Chlorophyll extract used in medicine. Fibres extracted for clothing.

Soil Type

Loose Light

Soil Fertility

Rich, favours high P levels in soil.

Soil Moisture

Dry to moist.

Soil pH

All, not acid.

Sunlight

Full sun

Success

Stinging hairs protect against stock, Underground creeping stems.

Importance

Nuisance

Cultural Control

(1.5) and rolling of the soil. (1.2)

Chemical Control

Under trees: (3.1.1a). Waste ground: (3.3.2) or (3.2.3). Apply at flowering.

Information Collated by James M. Burton as part of H.N.D. Course at Pencoed Agricultural College.
Chemical Information Correct as of 06:06:97. Always read and follow the instruction when using herbicides.