Have stinging hairs containing oxalic acid, histamine and tartaric acid and other stuff.The toxic material, a combination of acid and antigenic protein, is under pressure; when the needle penetrates the skin, the tip breaks and the juice is injected.Dogs and horses are quite allergic.I had to take my woofer to the vet. She had a welty rash all over, and was incessantly scratching like crazy.The vet gave Benadryl, which worked well, and woofie stopped scratching.
Common in damp places. All four species found in California are edible and tasty.
Found in places with rich moist soils.
Fibers from the stem were used to make bowstrings and in baskets.
Nettles are both delicious and healthy; boasting high amounts of both vitamin C and A as well as a good amount of protein.The leaves of Stinging Nettle can be eaten raw of cooked.The boiled roots were used to make a yellow dye.Juice from nettle can be used as rennet.The sting of the nettle contains formic acid. Cooking removes the acid.Can be steamed or boiled as a substitute to spinach and chard.
Spreads by shallow rhizomes.
Prominent viens in leaves.
Leaves lance or egg shaped.
Oposite leaves on stalk.
Angular stems.
While at Mackerricher State Park in Fort Bragg,my dog got into something and broke out in large red welts. Sort of like hives.She scratched incessantly has if she had a million fleas.Gave her a flea bath in the tub. We could see no fleas, not even one.Took her to the vet, and she was given a shot of benadryl.Five minutes after the shot, she was fine. The welts were gone and she neverscratched again all day. That shot acted fast!
I only suspect nettles; I never actually saw any.
Placerville
Now this is a totally different place from FortBragg: Placerville.
I THINK this is a nettle.
But I am not going to rub it on my dog to find out.
Otis R. Johnson Park
Fort Bragg CA
Woofie.
2015.07.04
I found this one in the Park in the sparce sunlight. It may be a nettle.
Long lance like leaves.
I'll ask Woofie.
2015.07.04
