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Stinging Nettle, Urtica dioica

Stinging nettle or common nettle, Urtica dioica, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, is the best-known member of the nettle genus Urtica. Under surface of the leaves have multicellular stinging hairs, which function like hypodermic needles. The toxic material, a combination of acid & antigenic protein, is under pressure; when the "needle" penetrates the skin, the tip breaks and the juice is injected. These chemicals include acetylcholine, histamine and serotonin. Young leaves and shoots are nutritious when boiled.