What is Stinging nettle?
{{Taxobox | name = Stinging nettle | image = Brennnessel.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = ''Urtica dioica'' subsp. ''dioica'' | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Rosales]] | familia = [[Urticaceae]] | genus = ''[[Urtica]]'' | binomial = ''Urtica dioica'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] }} '''Stinging nettles''' (''Urtica dioica'') are a type of [[plant]] which have stinging defensive hairs on the [[Leaf|leaves]] and stems. Stinging nettles can be found in America, [[Europe]] and Asia. ==Sting mechanism== [[File:Urtica dioica38 ies.jpg|thumb|left|''U. dioica '' close-up of the defensive hairs]] The hairs inject [[histamine]] and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other animals. Soaking stinging nettles in water or cooking removes the stinging chemicals from the plant, which allows them to be handled and eaten without injury. ==Usage== The plant has been used as medicine, food, tea and fibre. Nettles are sometimes used in cheesemaking, as [[nettle soup]] or as substitute for [[spinach]]. Its stems contain a [[bast fibre]] that is used for the same purposes as [[linen]]. Nettles have been used to make [[clothing]] for 2,000 years. ==Ecology== Stinging nettles are important food plants for several [[butterfly|butterflies]], like the [[Inachis io|peacock butterfly]] and the [[small tortoiseshell]]. Also some [[deer]]s and other animals eat the plant, preferred the [[leaf shot]]. {{-}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Urticaceae]]