Stinging nettle (Urtica breweri)

Family: Urticaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Urtica breweri is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August. 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). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young leaves - cooked. A very nutritious food, high in vitamins and minerals, they make an excellent spinach substitute and can also be added to soups, stews etc. — Young leaves - cooked.; A very nutritious food, high in vitamins and minerals, they make an excellent spinach substitute and can also be added to soups, stews etc.; Only use the young leaves and wear stout gloves when harvesting them to prevent getting stung.; Although the fresh leaves have stinging hairs, thoroughly drying or cooking them destroys these hairs.

Habitat & North American Range

Wet places, mainly between 1500 - 3000 metres, in coniferous forests in California. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)