Canadian Wood Nettle

Laportea canadensis

Physical Characteristics

Laportea canadensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from May to August. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

N. America - Nova Scotia to Ontario and North Dakota, south to Florida and Kansas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Young leaves - cooked[105]. Very nutritious and with a delicious flavour, they are used like spinach[159]. Some caution should be observed when harvesting this plant since the raw leaves have stinging hairs. It is perfectly safe to eat the leaves when they are cooked, however, since heat completely destroys the sting[K].

Medicinal Uses

Birthing aid Diuretic Febrifuge A decoction of the plant is used in the treatment of fevers[257]. The root is diuretic[257]. An infusion of the crushed roots has been used to facilitate childbirth[257].

Known Hazards

The leaves have stinging hairs, much like stinging nettles to which they are related.