tree nettle

Urtica ferox G.Forst.

Urtica ferox, known as tree nettle, is a woody shrub in the Urticaceae family native to New Zealand. It can grow up to 3 metres tall and has spines that deliver a painful and potentially dangerous sting.

Description

Urtica ferox, commonly called tree nettle, is a member of the Urticaceae family and is native to New Zealand. It is a large shrub that can reach heights of 3 metres, with a stem base up to 12 cm thick. The plant is covered in spines or trichomes that contain toxins, which can cause a painful sting lasting several days or weeks. In rare cases, the sting has been fatal. U. ferox is distributed across both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.