Common nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial herb that?s native to California and much of North America. This plant is known for the stinging hairs on its leaves and stems. Although it is sometimes classified as weed, it has a long history of use as a food and medicinal plant.

Common nettle often appears as an understory plant in riparian woodland habitats. It also grows in marshes and moist meadows. Individual plants can reach several feet in height and grow in large colonies that provide cover for birds and small mammals. Small flowers grow in clusters on branching stems. The blooms attract many butterfly and moth species, making it a good pollinator garden plant. It grows best in rich, moist soil and tolerates partial shade.

Young common nettle leaves are edible and highly nutritious, with a flavor often compared to spinach. All parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Nettle is also used as a natural pesticide and in textiles.