Monday, 9 September 2013

Look but do not touch


Look but do not touch.

Stinging nettle or common nettle, Urtica dioica, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is the best-known member of the nettle genus Urtica. They have many hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on the leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles, injecting histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other animals.

The tiny flowers are arranged on delicate threads that hang down from each node of the stem from early summer.

See the whole clump of tall growing stinging nettles by the Trans Pennine Trail on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Macro Monday.

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