Himalayan Nettle (Girardinia diversifolia)

Family: Urticaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Girardinia diversifolia is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). It is in flower from September to October, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young leaves and inflorescences - cooked as a green vegetable. Care should be exercised when harvesting the leaves because they have stinging hairs. — Young leaves and inflorescences - cooked as a green vegetable.; Care should be exercised when harvesting the leaves because they have stinging hairs.; However, these hairs are neutralized by heat and so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe to eat.

Habitat & North American Range

Waste ground and shrubberies, 800 - 2700 metres in the Himalayas. Moist, shady, forested areas at elevations of 1200 - 3000 metres in Nepal. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)