Thunbergiana Nettle (Urtica thunbergiana)

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

Urtica thunbergiana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. 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

Woods in mountains, C. and S. Japan. Shady, moist places in forests, along streams and in valleys at elevations of 1200 - 2500 metres in Taiwan and western Yunnan. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)