Stinging Nettle, Bull Nettle, Tread Softly, Finger Rot

This plant is just about everywhere you don't need it. It growes rapidly and each year seems to cover more area. I have sprayed it with r...Read Moreoundup to kill it and have had some success. It is painful to get it on hands or feet and you will scratch and scratch to no avail. It will let up after awhile but I sure hate to get into any of it.
It is an herb that is used for medicines but you have to know what your doing or it is dangerous.

If you plant seeds in large pots in good quality soil, they can get quite large without becoming invasive. I consider these a good "watch...Read More plant" that can be grown near windows to discouage burglars. This plant-and to add to security--with poison ivy in pots, are even better. If someone goes where they should not be-like intending to burglarize, these crims DESERVE a face full of lovely aggressive stinging nettles. Mean plants can have their uses, and that includes personal protection. When it comes to personal protection, the meaner the plant...THE BETTER!

Of course, in order to remove weeds around stinging nettles, you need a good L-O-N-G hoe or weeder to stay clear away from these plants :-) but fortunately they aren't too picky about growing conditions :-) Why are these called a "weed" is beyond me. They can contribute to home security.

I both respect and admire this plant. I've found it best to leave it where it wants to grow unless it happens to be in a spot where some...Read Moreone might brush against it. To me, the long-lasting burning sensation it produces when touched is nearly as bad as a bee sting and not worth the risk of pulling it up even with gloves. As an artist, I can greatly appreciate the "pure" white of its flower (or pseudo flower from what I've read in the descriptions here). Most other white flowers seem to have a slight tinge of pink, yellow, or green, whereas the Stinging Nettle is an unadulterated white similar to lead white in oil paint.

The Stinging Nettle, or Bull Nettle can be dangerous if not handled properly, but in the right situation it is a fascinating plant, becau...Read Morese of such beautiful flowers on such a dangerous plant.
The flowers look and smell like Stephanotis, and are not caustic at all.
I love to carefully pick them and smell them. A beautiful fragrant corsage can be made with them.
Bull Nettle is native to Texas and other States.

My first experience with this plant was as a child, in Georgia visiting my aunt. I accidentally stepped on it. It was such a horrible e...Read Morexperience I've never forgotten the appearance of the plant nor have I ever quit hating it.

I have stinging nettle in my yard and it is such a pest. Once, before I knew how it could hurt you, I pulled a plant up with my bare han...Read Mored. The itching was agonizing! My neighbor told me to get three different types of leaves and to rub the affected places with it and that it would stop the itching. I did as he said and it worked. I guess the oils of the other leaves acted as a type of neutralizer. Now if only I could get rid of these pesty plants! Laney

"Cnidoscolus" means "spiny kiss"... It´s highly recomended that the gardeners should use gloves to manipulate it and keep this plant awa...Read Morey from children and animals

This plant is a weed here. I have yet to see any form of wildlife utilize this plant. I am always removing it from the garden--ver...Read Morey carefully because the stings are painful if "got."

All over my yard and not even pretty. I'm sure it does, but I have not observed birds feeding on the seeds which come from a green tomato...Read More like fruit. VERY invasive and painful stings.

A species notorious on account of the stinging hairs which cover most of the plant. Brushed lightly, the brittle tip of the stiff hair br...Read Moreeaks off depositing a small drop of Formic Acid which causes the stinging sensation. Young shoots, rich in Vitimin C, can be eaten; the stinging action is destroyed by cooking. Some populations of the Common Nettle do not sting, but the reputation of the species ensures that those are rarely detected.

This member of the family Euphorbiaceae, commonly called Stinging Nettle or Tread Softly, is one southeastern native to watch out for. It...Read More is an erect, weedy perennial that grows to 3' tall and is covered with tiny, stinging hairs. These hairs cover the plant and can cause a painful, stinging, reddish rash when touched. While not serious, the pain may continue for up to an hour.

The blooms are white and first appear in early spring and continue into early fall. The showy part of the flower is actually the calyx of the male flower which has no petals. The female flowers are lower and have neither petals nor showy calyx. The seeds of this plant are eaten by Bob white quail and several species of songbirds. Seeds are distributed by wildlife and the plants will regrow prolifically from the fleshy tap root.

Euphorbiaceae, or spurge, is known for its toxic substances. Some have toxic sap, latex, or seed oils, others, like the nettles, have venomous hairs. The tubers of the plant are edible but the plant should be avoided.