Mediterranean Nettle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mediterranean Nettle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Urtica membranacea subsp. neglecta
• Urtica membranacea var. horrida
• Urtica membranacea var. subinermis
• Urtica neglecta
• Urtica azorica
• Dubrueilia membranacea
• Urtica membranacea proles lusitanica
• Urtica lusitanica
• Urtica lowei
• Urtica pittonii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales, it is classified under the family Urticaceae and the genus Urtica. Together, these taxonomic ranks identify Urtica membranacea as a specific member of the nettle family.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a varied distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is found within the territories of Belgium and Germany. Additionally, its range extends to Southwestern Europe, specifically reaching the Baleares islands. These diverse locations highlight the wide geographical footprint of Urtica membranacea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Urtica membranacea is characterized by its ability to inhabit a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. Within these environments, the plant employs a specific biological strategy for survival, possessing a distinct defense mechanism to deter herbivory. This combination of wide vertical distribution and active chemical or physical defense allows the species to persist across diverse lowland and montane habitats.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Urtica membranacea is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its ecological strategy and growth habit, it is classified as a therophyte, a life form where the plant survives the unfavorable seasons in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental conditions become suitable for the next generation. This life form is consistent across its developmental stages, defining its role in its habitat through this specific seasonal pattern of growth and survival.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Urtica membranacea is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. This plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and functions as a self-supporting organism, rather than a climber. It is an independent species that does not act as a parasite or an epiphyte, typically maintaining a terrestrial existence, though it can inhabit aquatic or semiaquatic environments. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a minimum height of 0.15 m and can grow up to a maximum height of 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Urtica membranacea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. The plant's vegetative architecture is defined by its leaf morphology, featuring elliptic leaf forms that vary significantly in size. These leaves exhibit a dynamic range of dimensions, with a minimum leaf length of 2 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 12 cm, while the width of the foliage fluctuates between a minimum of 1.5 cm and a maximum of 8 cm.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Urtica membranacea is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproductive system. The flowering period typically begins in February and continues through September, though the timing can be variable. The plant utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on the wind for pollination. Once fertilized, the plant produces dry fruits that measure between 0.125 cm and 0.15 cm in length, with a width ranging from 0.07 cm to 0.09 cm. These fruits are highly prolific, containing more than 1,000 seeds each. The seeds themselves are quite small, possessing a mean mass of 0.00022 g and a consistent seed volume of 0.19 mm³. Self-fertilization is noted as being absent in this species. Regarding seed dispersal, the plant employs an unspecialized syndrome that includes anthropochorous mechanisms, suggesting that human activity plays a role in the movement of its seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.15 cm

Fruit length min:

0.125 cm

Fruit width max:

0.09 cm

Fruit width min:

0.07 cm

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass mean:

0.00022 g

Seed volume max:

0.19 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Urtica membranacea has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiproliferative.

Antiproliferative

1. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

Conditions

Urtica membranacea has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer, cancer.

Breast cancer

1. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

Cancer

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Preparations

Urtica membranacea has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extraction.

Ethanol extraction

1. TheScientificWorldJournal