Hyperborea Nettle (Urtica hyperborea)

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

Urtica hyperborea is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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.

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, it makes an excellent spinach substitute and can also be added to soups and stews. — Young leaves - cooked.; A very nutritious food, high in vitamins and minerals, it makes an excellent spinach substitute and can also be added to soups and stews.; 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

Stony high altitude steppes, 4100 - 5100 metres. Alpine meadows, thickets and crevices at elevations of 3000 - 5200 metres in western China. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)