The Urticaceae family member Urtica dioica subspecies holoser. was collected by Mark A. Elvin on October 10th, 2014. It was initially collected as the wrong subspecies, U. dioica L. It was found on the central coast of California in San Luis Obispo County, within the "Icebox" pond of the "4-pound Valley" on the southern border of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. With a swale pond, sand and peat soils, and the dune scrubs, this plant fit in, though as previously mentioned it was initially identified as another subspecies. Urtica dioica or stinging nettle has been used in for centuries. The leaves of U.dioica are initially hostile,but can be cooked similar to a vegetable for both nutritional and medical value. The leaves can also be burned into a tea, producing a health tonic filled with flavonoids. As aforementioned, flavonoids have cardiovascular properties, and the tonic is also anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. U. dioica can produce hypotensive responses, through a vasorelaxant effect mediated by the release of endothelial nitric oxide and the opening of potassium channels, and through negative inotropic action. There are claims that it helps with eczema, urinary tract problems, and cardiovascular benefits, but these claims are less substantiated than health claims related to internal consumption. This plant is known for being a source of fiber, high in iron, and the chlorophyll is useful in some medicines. A tea made of the dry leaves is a tonic meant to purify blood. The nettle leaf, once dried and cooked, is used as an anti-asthmatic, antidandruff, astringent, and more. Externally, it is also known for helping skin complaints. The root is also used for bruises and urinary system issues. The plant itself has leaves rich in cellulose, polyphenol compounds, vitamin C, and minerals. They are high in fiber and can be used within basic construction. The stinging nettle can self-reproduce, as it grows with both male and female reproductive organs. It also spreads easily within its locality, with widely spreading rhizomes and stolons. In fact, it is often planted to reduce soil erosion and help the environment in which it is planted. However, it is native to subtropical and tropical Asia, and is common especially in China. However, it can still be found in the North Americas, particularly on the West Coast. Here, hikers often see stinging nettle on trails or bordering neighborhoods, as the name ‘stinging’ implies less danger than what is actually to be feared.
Adjacent to U. dioica is another member of the Urticaceae family, Boehmeria nivea. These sister plants share many characteristics both in their plant physiology and in their medicinal properties. The collection of this species by the UCLA Herbarium took place in 2014 and the species was updated in 2021. Dressed in bright fuchsia flowers,the sister of Urtica dioica currently resides in the Mediterranean Garden section of the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden near Hilgard Ave. The species is native to North America. Similar to Uritca dioica, this species are typically woody at their base with many clusters of green stems and green leaves. Unlike most other members of the "stinging family" Uritcacae, Boehmeria nivea does not have stinging hairs and is therefore less hostile by comparison. Boehmeria nivea is commonly known as Ramie or medicinally, Ramie leaf. Since this species is common throughout Eastern Asia, it is also commonly known as China grass. The leaves of Boehmeria nivea have been used medicinally for centuries very similarly to U. dioica, as they have been reported to have a large variety of benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticolitis, and antidiabetic effects. Ramie leaves can also be used as a laxative and are high in fiber as is their sister counterpart. Ramie is marketed as a food ingredient with antioxidant effects and is edible, just as Urtica dioica is but must be cooked and can be seeped into a tea. Like U. dioica, it can also be turned into a poultice and applied to the skin for some of its topical medicinal effects.
WORKS CITED
Boufford, David E. “Urtica Dioica Subsp. Holosericea.” Flora of North America. University of Uta, November 5, 2020. http://floranorthamerica.org/Urtica_dioica_subsp._holosericea.
Elvin, Mark A. “Urtica Dioica Subspec. Holoseria.” CCH2 portal. Accessed March 6, 2022. https://www.cch2.org/portal/taxa/index.php?tid=44055.
Scheidl, Franz Anton von, and Nikolaus Joseph Jacquin. “Nettle (Urtica Nivea L.): Flowering Stem with Separate Flower and Fruit. Coloured Engraving after F. Von Scheidl, 1772.” Wellcome Collection. Accessed March 6, 2022. https://wellcomecollection.org/works/hunbfw2u.
Testai, Lara, Silvio Chericoni, Vincenzo Calderone, Giulia Nencioni, Paola Nieri, Ivano Morelli, and Enrica Martinotti. “Cardiovascular Effects of Urtica Dioica L. (Urticaceae) Roots Extracts: In Vitro and in Vivo Pharmacological Studies.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 81, no. 1 (2002): 105–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-8741(02)00055-7.
“Urtica Dioica.” Plant Data Sheet. Accessed March 6, 2022. https://depts.washington.edu/propplnt/Plants/Urtica%20dioica.htm.
