Small Nettle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• burning nettle
• dog nettle
• dwarf nettle
• small nettle
• English stinging nettle
• lesser nettle
• lesser stinging nettle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Urtica urens var. lanceolata
• Urtica trianae
• Urtica minor
• Urtica atlantica
• Urtica parvula
• Urtica quadristipulata
• Urtica cubensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosales, falling into the family Urticaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Urtica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across various regions of Northern Europe. Its presence is documented in the coastal areas of Denmark and throughout the landscape of Finland. It can also be found growing within the Faroe Islands and across much of Great Britain. Furthermore, its geographical range extends to the unique environment of Iceland. These locations highlight the plant's affinity for the northernmost territories of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Urtica urens is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environments and a wide vertical distribution across various landscapes. This species thrives in disturbed anthropogenic habitats, frequently colonizing crop fields, inhabited places, old fields, and roadsides. Its altitudinal tolerance is extensive, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) to significant mountain heights, with a mean elevation of approximately 2350 m AMSL and a maximum recorded range of up to 2900 m AMSL. To survive in these competitive ecological niches, the plant employs active biological defense mechanisms, utilizing specialized structures to deter herbivory.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

2900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, inhabited places, old fields, roadsides

Life history

The life history of Urtica urens is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives unfavorable environmental conditions by existing primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until optimal conditions trigger growth. This growth pattern is further defined by its deciduous nature, as the plant sheds its foliage in response to seasonal changes or the conclusion of its reproductive cycle. This combination of an annual temporal strategy and a therophytic life form allows the species to rapidly colonize disturbed habitats and exploit seasonal resources before returning to a seed state.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Urtica urens is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This terrestrial species is an independent plant, not functioning as a parasite or an epiphyte, and it maintains a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of physical dimensions, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 0.2875 m, though individual specimens can vary significantly, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.9 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height mean:

0.2875 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Urtica urens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating its reliance on the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient availability. Its leaf morphology plays a significant role in its physiological efficiency, featuring an elliptic leaf form with a mean leaf size of 4.56 cm². The leaf dimensions show considerable variability, with a minimum leaf length of 1.2 cm and a maximum of 8.3 cm, while the mean leaf length is recorded at 3.6 cm. In terms of width, the leaves range from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 210 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its strategy for light interception and resource management.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

8.3 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.6 cm

Leaf length min:

1.2 cm

Leaf size mean:

4.56 cm²

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

210 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Urtica urens is characterized by a monoecious sexual reproduction strategy, with asexual reproduction being absent. The flowering period typically begins in May and extends through October. The plant relies on abiotic pollination, specifically utilizing a wind-based pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization, as self-fertilization is noted to be absent. Following pollination, the plant develops dry, green fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are indehiscent and exhibit dimensions with a mean length of 0.14 cm (ranging from 0.08 to 0.175 cm) and a maximum width of 0.1 cm. Each fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1,000 seeds. The seeds themselves are minute, with a consistent length of 2.1 mm and a volume of 0.45 mm³. The seed mass is extremely low, averaging 0.0005175 g, with a range between 0.00048 g and 0.00055 g. For dispersal, the plant employs an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing the wind to spread its abundant seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower length max:

0.05 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit colour :

green

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.175 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.14 cm

Fruit length min:

0.08 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.1 cm

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed length mean:

2.1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00055 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0005175 g

Seed mass min:

0.00048 g

Seed volume max:

0.45 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Urtica urens has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Revista de biologia tropical

Chemicals

Urtica urens has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Polyphenol, Tannin, polyphenols.

Flavonoid

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Polyphenol

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Tannin

1. Pharmaceutical biology

polyphenols

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Activities

Urtica urens has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial.

Antibacterial

1. Drug design, development and therapy
2. Revista de biologia tropical

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Revista de biologia tropical

Antimicrobial

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Conditions

Urtica urens has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anxiolytic.

Anxiolytic

1. Behavioral and brain functions : BBF

Preparations

Urtica urens has 6 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOH (70%) and WA extracts, EtOH and WA extracts, ethanol (EtOH) and water (WA) solvents, hydro-alcoholic extracts, methanolic extract.

Etoh (70%) and wa extracts

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Etoh and wa extracts

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Ethanol (etoh) and water (wa) solvents

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Hydro-alcoholic extracts

1. Drug design, development and therapy

Methanolic extract

1. Behavioral and brain functions : BBF

Methanolic extracts

1. Behavioral and brain functions : BBF