Nettle Tree, Chichaste, Ortiga

Urera baccifera

Physical Characteristics

Urera baccifera is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Distribution

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama t

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Antiarthritic Antibacterial Diuretic Skin Stings An infusion of the fresh leaves is diuretic[528 ]. The leaves are used in the treatment of muscle pain. A leaf is held by its petiole and the nettles are brushed against the skin[521 ]. This causes an excruciating pain, gradually replaced over the following days by a numbness!!![K ]. The Waorani also use this plant to relieve tainting and all pain, including that from aching muscles, arthritis, pulled muscles, snakebite, stingray and stings of the conga, a/teea and fire ants. The roots are said in the Colombian Amazon to have antihaemorrhagic properties, and an infusion of the leaves alleviates erysipelas[697 ]. A decoction of the roots is employed in treating gonorrhea[697 ]. A decoction of the root is diuretic[528 ].

Known Hazards

This is one of the best known plants of Guatemala and all Central America, one known and probably physically so, to all Central Americans, for it is one of the most severely stinging plants that exist in the Americas[331 ]. The large spine-like prickles are hollow and filled with liquid. When one brushes against a branch or a leaf, the prickles penetrate the flesh and cause the most excruciating pain, as sudden as an electric shock, that may last two or three days. The pain gradually disappears, to be followed by numbness in the affected part. It is needless to explain why the shrub makes an effective hedge plant!!![331 ].(Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested)