Urtica hyperborea

Physical Characteristics

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. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Himalayas from Pakistan to Bhutan, Mongolia and Tibet.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Drink Young leaves - cooked[51, 105, 177]. 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. Nettle beer is brewed from the young shoots[200].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The leaves of the plants have stinging hairs, causing irritation to the skin[21, 200]. This action is neutralized by heat so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe and nutritious[200]. However, only young leaves should be used because older leaves develop gritty particles called cystoliths which act as an irritant to the kidneys[172].