Urtica

It's difficult to love stinging nettles and many people think they are weeds imported from Europe. This species is truly Australian and, in my experience, has a stronger and more lasting sting than its European relatives.

It is one of the few food plants of the Australian Admiral butterfly and for this reason alone patches should be allowed to grow.

At the young stage shown in the photo, the stems make a good spinach. Once cooked, the stings are rendered harmless.

The growth of European stinging nettles responds to high levels of phosphate and it may be that this Australian species does too. Australian rainforest plants are also favoured by phosphate-rich soils and this may be why stinging nettles are often found in current or former rainforest areas.