Stinging nettle is also a good compost "activator." I routinely add it to my compost piles in the spring to heat the pile up after a cold winter. So, despite its uncomfortable effect on unsuspecting skin, it's a very useful plant. I was also told by an elderly farmer that the presence of stinging nettles is a sign of high nitrogen in your field - makes sense. Nettles are a preferred source for some species of butterfly larvae, so be sure to leave a small stand of the plant in an isolated corner.

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I came into contact with this stinging nettle this morning when I was weeding an area of the garden ... so I can attest to its common name of "Fireweed"! It causes an extremely painful stinging and burning sensation! Since I wasn't wearing gloves when I pulled a handful of weeds that contained the nettle, I got a good dose of the stinging on my right hand. I immediately ran inside and made a thick paste of baking soda and water, which I applied to my hand. The burning sensation subsided within 30 - 40 minutes, but even two hours later there's still a mild stinging sensation.

*** Note to self ... ALWAYS wear gloves when gardening!

This Nettle is native to the Southeastern United States and Northern Mexico. Here in Florida, Fireweed is often found in moist, disturbed areas, lawns, and pastures. The plants are usually avoided by cattle, but horses sometimes browse this plant, which can cause stress symptoms, such as breathing difficulty, difficulty swallowing, and weight loss. In extreme cases it can cause death in younger horses when they become exposed to the toxins by rolling around in the plants.

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Although a pest, this plant has both nutritional and medicinal qualities. When it is dried, most animals will eat it. Interestingly, the only animal that will eat it fresh is the donkey.

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This species is native to the part of North America that lies north of Mexico. Pollination can occur all year long depending on the location and elevation.

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