#large-flowered hemp nettle

[elephantbitterhead]

I'm officially about to enter the Frankenstein stage of gardening.

[fbwzoo]

I haven’t gotten an Etsy store up & running for crab food yet, but decided I might as well go ahead & make a post on here to list what I have available. So you guys get first crack at it! :) Some stuff I already have packaged, other stuff I know I have extra on hand & just need to package it. If you’d like to order some food for your crabby friends (or other applicable invertebrates), go ahead & send me a message! :)

Bag sizes: Small is 2″x3″ and medium is 3″x4″. Large (sandwich) bags are 6.5″x6″. Items that are more limited in supply right now will state that, with number of bags on hand if already packaged). If no amount is listed, items may still sell out quickly, depending on interest & amount on hand. I can try to restock things more quickly if there’s interest, but it will be dependent (some gets ordered online, some gets hand-made by me). All items are available in small & medium bags unless stated otherwise. Items available in large bags will have that stated.

Prices:  small: $1 each medium: $2.50 each large: $4 each

Shipping: Packages will be sent out within a week of order unless communicated otherwise. Any stocking issues will be communicated ASAP as well, and orders can be altered or delayed as wished by buyer. Shipping cost is $8/package - may increase for large orders, but will be communicated prior to shipping. Can only ship within US, apologies to friends in other countries! 

Payment:  Paypal only.

Alfalfa leaf (3-4 medium bags only) Amaranth (only available in sm) Artichoke leaf  Bean mix  Birch bark  Birch leaf  Blackberry leaf (1 medium bag only) Bladderwrack powder (1 medium bag only) Borage leaf (2-3 medium bags only) Calendula flowers  Chicken (1 small bag only) Chickweed (1 medium bag only) Cornflowers Cornmeal Crab/lobster Shell Cuttle Bone (available in whole, chunks, or powdered - powdered only available in small bags; chunks available in sandwich bags; cannot guarantee whole piece may arrive unbroken) Dandelion root Dulse powder (2 medium bag only) Earthworm Castings Elderberries (only available in sm) Elder flowers (3-4 medium bags only) Fish mix (3 medium bags only) Flaxseed meal (only available in sm) Greens mix (2 medium bags only) Green Sand Hay (available in large bags) Hibiscus flowers Irish Moss powder Millet seed Millet puffs (available dusted with spirulina powder, chlorella powder, or chili powder) Mulberry (1 medium bag only) Mysis Shrimp Nettle leaf (2 medium bags only) Nut mix  Passionflower Plantain leaf (1-2 medium bags only) Pumpkin seeds no shell Quinoa  Raspberry leaf River Shrimp (1-2 medium bags only) Sea Lettuce flakes  Seed mix - hemp, celery, chia (3 small bags only) Seed mix - thistle, sunflower, canary, white/red/finch millet, flaxseed Sphagnum moss (available in large bags) Squash & Sweet Potato (3 small bags only) Strawberry leaf Sunflower petals Sunflower seeds in shell Turkey (2-3 medium bags only) Wakame (1 medium bag only) I will do my best to keep this list edited for updated amounts & will reblog periodically with updates as things go out of stock or come back in stock.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns! :)

[teufelskunst]

New in the shop: postcards with my occult/nature inspired “Plants and Planets“ series from 2018! Available in two formats. The postcards have round edges and the sizes comply with common post standards.

In the past botanists such as Nicholas Culpeper associated plants with the planets, fixed stars and zodiac signs. The attributions were based on an intense study of a plant’s features, which included treats such as a thorny or prickly appearance, the scent emitted by the flowers or the entire plant, the plant’s life cycle, colors, metals contained in a plant, medicinal and other uses and of course plenty of folklore. Today plants are classified scientifically based on their genome, but their planetary lore is preserved and continues to evolve in the books of authors such as Stephen Skinner, Paul Huson, Scott Cunningham, Harold Roth and so on.

I find it inspiring to continue this tradition and to explore its own inner logic. Hence I created these planet themed still life photographs of herbs, that I gathered from our garden and surroundings, many of which are also part of my seed boxes. They are ordered according to the Chaldean sequence. With this series I yet delve deeper into the language of plants and the symbolism and magical properties attributed to them.

Please leave a note with your order, if you wish for the postcard to be signed on the back (no extra cost).

“Saturn”

“Jupiter”

“Mars”

“Sun”

“Venus”

“Mercury”

“Moon”

Plants and Planets New in the shop: postcards with my occult/nature inspired "Plants and Planets" series from 2018!

[dansnaturepictures]

24/07/2021-Silver Saturday Part 2: West Wood 

Following on from my previous post, this afternoon we went to West Wood on a butterfly minded walk where Silver-washed Fritillary the butterfly with a sighting of one at Bolderwood in the New Forest in 2010 capturing my attention and making me want to know what species it was which it started it all for butterflies for me and paved the way for the other insect and flower parts of my hobby. I was just getting a tad nervous as to whether I’d see one this year as whilst they are certainly out in August we have a better record for July sightings of them and unpredictable weather at times and just demand for a high volume butterfly and other visits to do at the weekend in July meant I’d waited a bit to see it. So I really wanted to see it here today a place that is quite strong for them. I took the first, fourth and final three pictures in this photoset of very beautiful views in this charming stretch of woodland. 

Early on in the walk it was great to see another beautiful Black and Yellow longhorn beetle, bees, hoverflies, Ringlets and Silver Y moths low to the ground flying around I took the second picture in this photoset further up of the Silver Y. We went on to see dozens of both today it really was exceptional to see the dark brown glow of the ringlet and erratic flying and quintessentially mothy aesthetics of the Silver Ys flitting and hovering about all over the place. What a year I’m having for them. It was stunning to see so many of both. Early on too I was very happy to quickly see a Purple Hairstreak flying up the trees. It was surreal as I almost found it something I was used to after seeing the ones at Lakeside over the last fortnight after Knepp two weeks ago. But West Wood is still only the fourth place I have ever seen them after Bentley Wood, Knepp and Lakeside. So this was another very notable moment for me this summer. 

There were some beautiful and varied colourful flowers enriching the verges and meadow alike here today including; cow parsnip/hogweed and the yellow wild parsnip looking great and quite tall in places and together at one point as well which the third picture in this photoset shows, thistle, lots of ragwort colouring the landscape interestingly, agrimony, hemp agrimony, hedge nettle and marjoram, nettle-leaved bellflower and weld three for me that I learnt today which is always nice. 

I of course took the chance to conduct my first further afield Big Butterfly Count of the year here and it was a 15 minutes like no other. I excitedly had a different winner to any of my counts ever with an extraordinary 25 Ringlets counted. It was so amazing to get this species counted again one I saw well here last year on that extraordinary day a week ago Tuesday with so many butterflies seen and photographed which I mentioned the other day a visit despite rain and patchy bits of sunshine I was hoping to replicate today. This was a brilliant moment to celebrate this very special butterfly one I do find so precious. It not only became the third species to top a count that wasn’t one at home but it was my second highest amount of any one species in a count I’ve done so far this year after 31 Meadow Browns at Lakeside on the first day of the count. This allowed me to really feel competitive about it between the butterflies saying Ringlet “won” and things which was nice. Its so good to get really good numbers of Ringlet into the count. In the count here also today I saw 3 Meadow Brown, 1 Small White 1, Gatekeeper, 5 Silver Ys as the extraordinary amount of this day time moth I saw today translated well into the count too. There was 1 Holly Blue and Comma too.

We walked on to an area of vegetation which was teeming with butterflies on the day here last year especially Peacocks but Silver-washed Fritillary in a club of others too. Things seemed to align as the just a bit of sunshine or brightness I felt could bring Silver-washed Fritillaries did ocome, and looking over towards thick vegetation I saw the distinctive wing shape and patterning of this one of my favourite butterflies which I’ve known for so long as it floated into view and fly around a little bit. We had a sensational few minutes as we walked over nearer to it to secure some more prolonged views. And three then settled down within the thistle flowers I believe and other bits of the vegetation with a fourth joining in at times too. I was very lucky to get some extremely exceptional views of these. First they were quite far away and I admired them at a distance including in the binoculars and tried for photos with my big lens to zoom in. But they edged closer and closer to where we were standing and before long the fritillaries including male and female were right on top of me and I got the most intimate and perfect views of these glowing orange butterflies. It was just so lovely to see them on the thistle making out their supreme markings and flying around gorgeously but also I got exquisite views of the fritillary getting really stuck into the valuable plant. I savoured every minute with this butterfly I adore. I talked about how it was one of my best times with the species with the sheer number of and how I saw Dark Green Fritillaries at Martin Down three weeks ago and there may not have been as many but for quality and pure intimacy of views we were very lucky to get this fritillary my favourite of this family providing another notable moment within my whole time watching butterflies and of course one of my moments of the butterfly and general year today. I took the fitith, sixth and seventh pictures in this photoset of these Silver-washed Fritillaries. 

Year list wise my concern was perhaps a little justified as I checked my records and found this was my latest ever first sighting of a Silver-washed Fritillary in a year beating my 2012 by 2 days. In birdwatching I have my bogey bird the one each year I normally see easily which I don’t for a while in the year and I sometimes jokingly think what it would be if I did a butterfly one. I guess Silver-washed Fritillary would be the one this year even though butterflies are only out over a short period so I wouldn’t say this went on and on but I was beginning to long for this species. There were a few trips this month where on other days we might have seen Silver-washed Fritillary and other species I’d maybe normally see after this one I did see so I was wanting to see this one. Its my 38th butterfly species of the year at the business end of the peak season and competing with my big gun year lists. Leveling my entire total of 2017 one behind my 2014 total to become my joint fifth highest ever butterfly year list and only in 2019, 2020 and 2018 my three highest ever butterfly year lists had I seen more species at this stage so this does feel good. 

Whilst in this area I was delighted to see some Large Skippers I’d not seen these since our North Wales trip when they were all first coming out there and the week before for me at home. I knew they may be about today and we saw a handful as things got sunnier here and walking back. There was another very memorable moment today when we spotted Large Skipper and Small Skipper practically next to each other. An unusual summer comparison point I suppose of being able to make our the differences for these similar species which can be known for different habitats a bit with some crossover. So I loved seeing this. A big spider also caught my eye, as did Roe Deer on the way back. A Southern Hawker was a great sighting too flying around. With the sun coming out, the paths of this place looked just as atmospheric as they did just after or during the shower I was pleased to use the sunlight in a few landscape photos. Today just goes to show, the weather may not always look perfect but by getting out you never know what can happen and what can still be about in snatches of dry or generally. I hope you all had a good day. 

Willdife Sightings Summary: My first of one of my favourite butterflies the Silver-washed Fritillary this year, another of my favourite butterflies the Large Skipper, one of my favourite dragonflies the Southern Hawker, Small Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Holly Blue, Comma, Small White, Silver Y, Black and Yellow longhorn beetle, Blackbird, Roe Deer, bees, hoverflies, ladybird and spider. 

[tipsycad147]

All About Stinging Nettle | Health Benefits, Uses, & More

Written by Sass Ayres

Stinging nettle (Urtica spp.) has come to be one of the more popular wild greens of the spring and early summer. It often pops up at farmer’s markets and on farm-to-table menus. Its inherent wildness, culinary versatility, and impressive nutrient density make it quite an attractive plant! If you’re lucky enough to have come across it in the wild, you probably know it by its sting too. While not particularly flashy or showy, the stinging nettle health benefits and uses are incredibly abundant!

For centuries, nettle has nourished the health and vitality of the people. If feeling tired or depleted, stinging nettle is one of the best herbs to bring into your day.

HERE YOU’LL FIND:

Stinging Nettle Folklore How to Identify Stinging Nettle Stinging Nettle Health Benefits & Medicinal Uses Stinging Nettle as a Food Other Uses for Stinging Nettle Possible Side Effects

Nettle Folklore: The Old Lady with the Broomstick

Michael Moore, a renowned and highly revered herbalist, once described the spirit of stinging nettle as a spunky old lady on a mission. She’s full of fire and fierce love and carries an old, splintered broomstick. With this broomstick, she’ll vehemently shoo you out of your comfort zone.

She’ll yell for you to get up off your tushie and make yourself useful. Get up! Get going! Don’t just sit there; do something!

She’s a plant that’s full of tough love. But behind the sting, there’s all the sweet nurturing of a granny who takes her grandmotherly duties with the utmost seriousness. She’s not afraid to let you know that there’s work to be done.

She’s one of those plants that once you know, you’ll never forget. Every time I see stinging nettle, I see the old lady and her splintered broomstick too.

How to Identify Stinging Nettle

Nettle is a native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but has become naturalized in many places across the world.

You’ll most often find stinging nettle in shaded areas full of moisture, oftentimes near running water. It spreads out easily in all directions and likes to form thick patches no discerning bare-legged person would ever brave.

Short prickly hairs that sting on contact cover every inch of the nettle plant.

Juliet Blankespoor of Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine calls stinging nettle the Emerald Queen, and that she is. She’s vibrant and green and reigns with an equal blend of sternness and sweetness.

In identifying nettle, the characteristic sting can be a dead giveaway. However, there are other species, some from different plant families, that sting just the same. When searching for stinging nettle, it’s important to look closely for other key identifiers.

The most common species of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica, often called Common or European Nettle) has opposite triangular leaves with large pointed teeth. Their prominent venation gives the leaves a pillowy kind of texture. The stem is loosely square-shaped with grooves that run its length and prickly hairs cover the entire plant.

The flowers are very tiny, greenish or brownish. They grow in dense clusters out from where the leaves emerge from the stem.

At the base of each leaf node (where the leaves meet the stem), there are 4 characteristic antennae-like appendages just under the leaves. You’ll see stinging nettle grow 3-5 feet tall at maturity, and she can spread infinitely wide via her underground rhizomes.

Stinging Nettle Health Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Stinging nettle has been in our herbal medicine repertoire for centuries! And with the advances in modern science, we’ve been able to prove the efficacy of many of the traditional stinging nettle health benefits and medicinal uses.

Today, stinging nettle is most commonly used as the following:

Nutritive Tonic (very high in minerals!)

Alterative (works to optimize our processes of metabolism to increase overall health and vitality)

Alkalinizing Agent (helps to manage low pH and the health effects of having a low body pH)

Antioxidant

Vulnerary (wound healing)

Anti-Inflammatory

Diuretic

Urinary Tract Tonic

Here’s a sneak peak into some of the research behind stinging nettle’s more common medicinal applications.

Nettle & Inflammation

Used either internally (as an extract) or externally as a topical cream or ointment, stinging nettle has been used as an anti-inflammatory in the treatment of sprains and strains, joint pain, and even insect bites.

Studies have also shown that nettle acts in a similar way that pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories do in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, suggesting that it may be a safer (without side effects) alternative to traditional arthritis treatments.

And perhaps one of the most interesting uses of stinging nettle is the practice of urtication. Urtication is a traditional therapy that involves applying fresh leaves topically. The welts caused by the sting and irritation of hairs left behind in the skin stimulate circulation and an immune response that may bring healing and pain relief to stiff, rheumatic, or paralyzed limbs.

Nettle & Seasonal Allergies

Beyond its incredible nutrition, stinging nettle’s most well-known use might just be as an anti-allergy. While much more research is needed to understand the exact mechanism, studies have shown that stinging nettle’s anti-inflammatory properties may play a big roll in helping with seasonal allergies.

Stinging nettle’s natural histamine content also works to prevent certain inflammation pathways that can lead to allergy symptoms.

One 2017 study, however, showed nettle to have positive effects on allergy symptoms, but not much more so than the placebo. Albeit, the study was very small (40 people) and only lasted for 30 days. The researchers concluded that the positive results were enough the conduct further studies that were bigger and for longer periods of time.

Nettle is used in a variety of ways to treat seasonal allergies. For example, it can be used as an infusion or tea, freeze-dried in capsules, and as a tincture (an alcohol extract). How much and how often depends on the person and the severity of their symptoms. Alternatively, many herbalists use stinging nettle as a preventative, for a few months or so leading up to the start of allergy season.

Nettle & Prostate Health

Studies have also shown nettle to be an effective treatment for reducing the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland and is a common condition that effects 90% of men over age 60.

Nettle root has demonstrated to help reduce the obstruction to urinary flow, as well as to decrease the need for nighttime urination.

Nettle & Kidney Health

As a diuretic, nettle may help to promote healthy urination. Accordingly, it’s often used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), as well as to help prevent kidney stones.

And in addition to its natural diuretic properties, nettle’s anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory also make it an ideal herbal remedy for UTIs.

Stinging Nettle as a Food

Many a person has touted stinging nettle as quite possibly the most nutrient dense green vegetable in the entire Western Hemisphere. In addition to being a good source of dietary fiber, nettle is full of protein. In fact, nettle’s protein content is said to rival that of any other native plant.

Nettle is rich in several different types of antioxidant polyphenols, vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals including iron, manganese, potassium, and calcium. Based on data, stinging nettle is likely one of the richest sources of minerals amongst the plant foods.

Often compared to spinach in taste and versatility, nettle meets all the essential amino acid needs for us humans. Nettle is often referred to as “nature’s vitamin” and it’s not hard to see why.

Soups, stews, wild green pestos, and quiches are all great ways to incorporate nettles into your diet. Nettle also makes delicious tea and it’s easy to sneak into chocolate cake too. It’s a nutrient dense spring tonic uniquely designed by nature to replenish your winter-weary cells.

Other Stinging Nettle Uses

Nettle As A Valuable Fiber Crop

In addition to its long history of use as a food and medicine, stinging nettle also has a long history of use in textiles.

In ancient times as far back as the Bronze Age, stinging nettle was used as a fiber crop. There are ancient remains of burial shrouds, fishing nets, sailcloth, and cordage/rope, all made from the fibers of stinging nettle.

Nettle makes a strong and durable fiber similar to both hemp and flax. It’s also both stronger and softer than cotton. In The Book of Herbal Wisdom, Michael Moore writes that through both World Wars, Germany resorted to making their uniforms from nettle fiber when the country was cut off from cotton sources. These uniforms are still in good condition today!

Unfortunately, while still used all around the world as a fiber source, nettle fiber is too labor intensive to produce on a large scale.

Stinging Nettle Side Effects & Cautions

Possibility of Allergic Reactions: When the hairs brush up against your skin, they split open and release formic acid, the same substance excreted when an ant bites. If you were wondering, that’s what it feels like, an army of microscopic ants releasing their fury on the surface of your skin. The sting can have an effect that lasts anywhere from a few hours to several days and can range from mildly annoying to incredibly uncomfortable or painful and blistery.

Contraindicated with Some Prescription Medications: Because nettle acts as a natural diuretic, it may be unsafe to consume while also experiencing kidney disease (or with kidney transplant) or taking prescription diuretics. Prescription blood thinners or blood pressure medication may also raise concern.

Pregnancy and/or Nursing: Always consult with a licensed practitioner when consuming medicinal herbs.

https://www.botanyculture.com/stinging-nettle-benefits-and-uses/

[john-barley-corn]

I bought myself a wild flower field guide yesterday (one more specialized than the one I’ve been using, which covers all wildlife). I’m trying to learn what the different plant families are, so here are the descriptions of the dicotyledon families, mostly taken verbatim from the guide; writing these out will probably help me remember them:

Ranunculaceae, the buttercup family. Flowers with many stamens, usually five petals (or no petals, but petal-like sepals), and at their base often small honey-guides, which secret nectar. Fruits with many separate nutlets or tiny pods.

Papaveraceae, the poppy family. Includes both poppies, with large, floppy-petalled flowers, and fumitories and allies, which have unusual tubular, spurred flowers.

Cannabaceae, the hemp family. Flowers greenish, male and female on separate plants.

Urticaceae, the nettle family. [No description.]

Amaranthaceae, the goosefoot family. [No description.]

Caryophyllaceae, the pink family. Stems usually swollen at the nodes of the opposite pairs of usually untoothed and unstalked leaves, with stipules only in spurreys and their allies. Flowering shoots repeatedly forked; flowers with 4-5 petals or none and 4-5 sepals, often joined at the base, in the campions and pinks forming a tube or more or less inflated bladder.

Polgonaceae, the dock family. Characterised by a sheath at the base of the leaves forming a whitish papery tube (ochrea) around the stem at the more or less swollen leaf-nodes. Leaves alternate, usually undivided and untoothed. Flowers small, pink, white or green, with no petals but petaloid sepals (tepals).

Plumbaginaceae, the thrift family. [No description.]

Cistaceae, the rock-rose family. [No description.]

Hypericaceae, the St. John’s wort family. [No description.]

Malvaceae, the mallow family. Now also contains Limes; otherwise non-woody plants except Tree Meallow, usually downy or softly hairy. The often large flowers have five notched petals, a double row of joined sepals, the inner ring often larger, the outer (epicalyx) sometimes forming a cup, and a prominent bunch of stamens. Leaves palmately lobed or cut, stalked and toothed. Fruits disc-shaped nutlets.

Violaceae, the violet family. [No description.]

Droseraceae, the sundew family. [No description.]

Brassicaceae, the cabbage family. Annuals/perennials, almost all non-woody, with flowers, often called crucifers (from the Latin for cross) from the four (usually none in Narrow-leaved Pepperwort, rarely none in other species) petals arranged crosswise; stamens usually six; sepals four; mostly in stalked erect spikes or clusters. The seeds are contained in a usually beaked pod, either long and thin (siliqua) or of various shapes less than three times as long as broad (silicula).

Resedaceae, the mignonette family. [No description.]

Cucurbitaceae, the marrow family. A family with only one native member, White Bryony, but numerous casuals deriving from human food wastes and most often encountered at sewage works. All these have yellow flowers, palmately lobed and coarsely hairy leaves, tendrils (except Squirting Cucumber) and distinctive (and mostly well known) yellow or green fruits. The commonest are Marrow Cucurbita pepo and Melon Cucumis mela, but Pumpkin Cucurbita maxima is established in at least one place in Hertfordshire, and Cucumber Cucumis sativus, Water Melon Citrullus lanatus and Squirting Cucumber Ecballium elaterium (no tendrils and leaves often not lobed) all occur more rarely. Fruits are rounded in the two melons and Pumpkin and elongated in the rest.

Ericaceae, the heath family. A morphologically diverse family of herbs (Wintergreens)---including some with no green colouring (Yellow Birdsnest), dwarf shrubs, trees and taller shrubs; mostly evergreen, but some bilberries are deciduous. Flowers often distinctively globular/bell-shaped. Fruit usually a capsule or berry. Mainly avoiding lime.

Primulaceae, the primrose family. Mostly perennials. Flowers usually with five joined petals. Fruit a capsule.

Lythraceae, the purple loosestrife family. [No description.]

Saxifragaceae, the saxifrage family. Annuals/perennials, with flowers 4-5-petalled and 3-styled, leaves usually alternate or basal and fruit a capsule.

Parnassiaceae, the grass of Parnassus family. [No description.]

Crassulaceae, the stonecrop family. Mostly hairless perennials, with star-like, 5-petalled flowers; untoothed, fleshy, un- or short-stalked leaves and dry, many-seeded fruits. Most stonecrops (Sedum) prefer walls and dry rock places, and many are grown in gardens; nearly a dozen species are liable to escape.

Diapensiaceae, the diapensia family. [No description.]

Rosaceae, the rose family. A large family, including many trees and tall shrubs. Flowers very variable in size, with five petals and sepals, numerous yellow stamens, leaves usually alternate and with stipules, and fruit usually compound, of several to many achenes (dry) or drupes (fleshy).

Portulacaceae, the purslane family. [No description.]

Montiaceae, the blinks family. [No description.]

Fabaceae, the pea family. Distinctive for its 5-petalled flower shape: the broad and often erect standard at the top, the two narrower wings at the sides, and the two lowest joined as the keel, which hides the stamens and styles. Flowers usually in heads, the unique shape not being immediately apparent when the flowers are small and in a tight head, as with some of the clovers. Leaves alternate and usually either pinnate (with or without a terminal leaflet) or trefoil. Fruit a pod (legume), usually long and resembling a cultivated pea or bean---Garden Pea Pisum sativum with white to purple flowers is a frequent relic of cultivation. Members of the family are often known as legumes after the pod. All legumes have nodules on their roots that harbour symbiotic bacteria called rhizobia which fix nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into ammonium that can be used by plants; this process is of enormous importance in natural ecosystems and in agriculture, and legumes are of great ecological and economic significance.

Onagraceae, the willowherb family. [No description.]

Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family. [No description, except for a red P for “poisonous”.]

Cornaceae, the dogwood family. [No description.]

Santalaceae, the sandalwood family. [No description.]

Linaceae, the flax family. Flowers 5-petalled. Leaves opposite, undivided. Fruit is a globular capsule.

Polygalaceae, the milkwort family. [No description.]

Oxalidaceae, the wood-sorrel family. Perennials, often with bulbils. Flowers 5-petalled. Leaves trefoil. Fruit a capsule. Besides the native Wood-sorrel, there are 17 introduced species.

Geraniaceae, the cranesbill family. [No description.]

Balsaminaceae, the balsam family. Hairless annuals with fleshy stems. Flowers with a unique shape, 5-petalled with a broad lower lip, a small upper hood and a usually curved spur behind; in loose clusters. Leaves oval, stalked, slightly toothed. The seeds explode from the ripe cylindrical fruits. Only one native species, Touch-me-not Balsam.

Apiaceae, the carrot family. Typical umbellifers are easily identified: their flowers are arranged in a flat umbrella-like head or umbel. (But there are a few atypical umbellifers. Also, Yarrow is an umbellifer-like composite.) The spokes (rays) of the umbel end in secondary umbels, with a number of small 5-petalled flowers arranged in a smaller umbel, usually with a flattish top, but becoming domed as they go over. The tops of these smaller umbels make up the top of the whole umbrella. In some country districts the larger umbellifers are still called Keck or Kecks. The hollow stems of, for instance, Hogweed and Wild Angelica, used to be, and perhaps still are, cut by country boys to make whistles.

Hydrocotylaceae, the pennywort family. [No description.]

Gentianaceae, the gentian family. Hairless annuals/perennials. Flowers in a branched cluster, with 4-5 joined petals and sepals, often opening only in sunshine. Leaves undivided, opposite, usually unstalked. Fruit a capsule.

Solanaceae, the nightshade family. Mostly poisonous; even Potato and Tamato if you eat the wrong parts of the plant. Flowers with five joined petals and sepals. Leaves usually alternate and stalked.

Convolvulaceae, the bindweed family. Perennials with stems usually twining anticlockwise. Flowers large and trumpet-shaped, sometimes quite deeply lobed. Leaves usually undivided, untoothed, alternate. Fruit a capsule.

Boraginaceae, the borage family. All except Oysterplant are hairy, often rougly hairy. Flowers usualy blue, often pink in bud with five joined petals and sepals, usually in 1-sided spikes, tightly coiled at first. Leaves undivided, alternate. Fruits four nutlets.

Apocynaceae, the periwinkle family. [No description.]

Menyanthaceae, the bogbean family. [No description.]

Polemoniaceae, the Jacob’s ladder familly. [No description.]

Verbenaceae, the verbena family. [No description.]

Lamiaceae, the dead-nettle family. Formerly known as Labiatae, hence still referred to as Labiates. Hairy/downy annuals/perennials, often aromatic or pungent, with square stems. Flowers with joined petals and five sepal-teeth, 2-lipped and open-mouthed (except mints and Gipsywort); upper lip missing in bugles and germanders; usually in whorls up leafy stems. Leaves opposite, toothed, usually stalked and undivided. Fruit a cluster of nutlets.

Scorphulariaceae, the figwort family. A much reduced family following re-classification using molecular evidence. Mostly annual/perennial herbs, but includes some shrubs (e.g. Butterfly Bush). Mulleins have open flowers that are large and usually yellow.

Veronicaceae, the speedwell family. Part of the former Figwort family that includes both the Speedwells whose flowers have 4-5 petals joined at the base, and toadflaxes and other species with tubular, often 2-lipped flowers.

Phrymaceae, the monkeyflower family. A difficult group of three naturalised species and five hybrids. Perennials with leafy runners; large and showy 2-lipped flowers, bright yellow usually marked with red, 25-45mm (except Musk), June-Sept; and broad toothed opposite leaves, the lower often stalked. Wet places, especially by shallow streams.

Orobranchaceae, the broomrape family. A family of parasitic plants, including both the true broomrapes which have no chlorophyll and are wholly dependent on their hosts, and species which are hemiparasites, with green leaves but parasitic on the roots of host plants for water and minerals. Unlike the broomrapes, the hemiparasites are generalist parasites with no special host plants. All have 2-lipped, more or less open-mouthed flowers.

Acanthaceae, the bearsbreech family. [No description.]

Adoxaceae, the moschatel family. [No description.]

Plantaginaceae, the plantain family. [No description.]

Juncaginaceae, the arrow-grass family. A monocotyledon family. Hairless perennials with spikes of stalked green flowers with six sepals/petals and styles forming a short whitish tuft. Leaves linear, in basal rosettes.

Scheuchzeriaceae, the rannoch-rush family. [No description.]

Lentibulariaceae, the bladderwort family. [No description.]

Campanulaceae, the bellflower family. Mostly perennials. Flowers usually stalked, bell-shaped, usually blue, with five usually short lobes. Leaves undivided, alternate. Fruit usually a capsule.

Rubiaceae, the bedstraw family. Annuals/perennials, often climbers, with clusters of small flowers, with four petals (except Wild Madder and Madder) and minute or no sepals, and whorls of undivided leaves and leaflike stipules. Fruit usually a nutlet.

Caprifoliaceae, the honeysuckle family. [No description.]

Valerianaceae, the valerian family. [No description.]

Dispacaceae, the teasel family. Perennials/biennials, like the Daisy Family, with their dense compound flowerheads, somewhat mimicking a single large stalked flower. But the smal individual flowers have 4-5 joined petals, with four separate stamens, and very narrow, sometimes bristle-like joined sepals sitting in a small green cup of bracts. What look like green sepals around the whole flowerhead are also actually bracts. Leaves opposite. Fruit a small seed.

Asteraceae, the daisy family. The largest family of flowering plants, often called composites; their tiny flowers are closely packed into a compound head, which resembles a single flower, surrounded by sepal-like bracts. (These flowerheads are referred to as flowers, and the single flowers as florets.) Petals are joined in a tube so that the florets are of two kinds: disc florets with the tube ending in five short teeth and ray florets, ending in a cospicuous flat petal-like flap. Composite flowers are thus of three kinds: daisy-type, with a flat or conical base of yellow disc florets usually surrounded by ray florets; brush-like or thistle-type, usually with disc florets only; dandelion-type with (almost always yellow) ray florets only. In some daisy-type flowers the florets’ true sepals become chaffy scales. In the two other groups they become hairs, simple in thistle-type, and feathery in dandelion-type flowers. These become the thistle-down and dandelion-clocks, on which the tiny nut-like seeds float away in the wind.

Aizoaceae, the mesembryanthemum family. [No description.]

Nympheaceae, the water-lily family. Hairless perennials, with large flowers and long-stalked leaves. Still and slow-moving fresh water, rooting in the bottom mud. This family and the Birthwort family have been shown by new molecular evidence to be the most primitive flowering plants in the British flora.

Paeoniaceae, the peony family. [No description.]

Sarraceniaceae, the pitcherplant family. [No description.]

Gunneraceae, the giant rhubarb family. [No description.]

Aristolochiaceae, the birthwort family. Two long-established but widely scattered aliens are Birthwort Aristolochia clematitis, source of a drug used to save peccant medieval nuns from their misbehaviour with peccant monks, and Asarabacca Asarum europaeum, a plant so dull that one wonders why it was ever planted, its dull purple bell-shaped flowers being usually hidden under kidney-shaped leaves on a few shady banks. Birthwort is foetid with pale yellow tubular flowers and large heart-shaped leaves; found, in Oxfordshire for instance, at Godstow Nunnery ruins and by a roadside at Kencott.

[battybat-boss]

Nettle Oil: More Than Just a Backyard Weed

Nettle commonly grows in backyards and gardens, but did you know that this weed can also have profound benefits for your body? In fact, nettle is a popular herbal medicine in many parts of the world. Here's one way to reap its benefits: Use nettle oil. Discover the uses of this lesser-known but equally versatile herbal oil.

What Is Nettle Oil?

Nettle oil or nettle extract comes from Urtica dioica, a creeping, fibrous perennial plant from the Urticaceae plant family.1 Nettle, also known as hemp nettle, white nettle or devil's leaf, is native to Eurasia, but now grows wild across the U.S. and other parts of the globe. It can be found in temperate regions, from Japan to the Andes Mountains.2

Nettle can be identified by its creeping yellow roots, small green flowers, and ovate, pointed and toothed leaves that are covered with bristly stinging hair that can pierce the skin upon contact - hence, it's more popular nickname, “stinging nettle.” In fact, the common name “nettle” actually comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “noedl,” which means "needle." Its hairy, erect, single stalks grow in clusters, giving it a bushy appearance. The plant can grow as tall as 4 feet (1.2 meters).3

Nettle has a long history of use as food and medicine. Its fibers are even said to have been used to make cloth.4 However, don't be so quick to touch it - the fine hairs all over the plant release formic acid, histamine and acetylcholine, chemicals that can cause pain and irritation when they come in contact with the skin.5

But here's what's unique about this plant: If the hairs come in contact with a part of your body that's in pain, the original pain can decrease. It's said to be so effective that it's the primary material used in the process of urtication: deliberately stinging the skin with nettles.6

According to an article published by PennState Hershey, scientists believe this is because nettle can minimize your body's levels of inflammatory chemicals. It can also interfere with the way pain is transmitted in your body.7 A 2013 study published in Phytomedicine found that nettle extract may be even more effective than traditional tinctures in easing inflammatory disorders.8

Nettle oil is usually extracted from the leaves and stems of the plant. Nettle oil is commonly added to many personal care products, such as soap and hair conditioner. It can also be taken in capsule form.9

Uses of Nettle Oil

According to Mother Earth News, nettle has been used for over 2,000 years to stop all kinds of internal and external bleeding. Many healers also considered it a good blood purifier. Nettle can be taken as a tea, to help clear mucus congestion, skin irritation, diarrhea and water retention.10 On the other hand, you can use nettle oil by:

• Adding it to your shampoo and other hair products: Nettle oil not only promotes healthy hair growth, but can also help scalp conditions like psoriasis and dandruff. Massage it onto your hair and wrap a towel around your head. Leave the oil on your scalp overnight and then rinse out the next day.11

• Mixing it with a safe carrier oil and massaging it on your skin: According to Stylecraze, topical application of nettle oil may help ease insect bites, eczema and chickenpox.12

• Taking it in capsule form: Nettle oil, when taken orally, may work as a diuretic.13 It can also help ease prostate issues,14 gout and allergic rhinitis.

Composition of Nettle Oil

Some of the major components found in nettle include thymol, carvacrol, cymene, anisole, terpene, phenylpropene derivatives and eucalyptol.16 The leaves, which are commonly used to make nettle oil infusion, contain provitamin A, vitamins B1 and K, sistosterin and xanthophylls.17

Benefits of Nettle Oil

Stinging nettle is a useful herbal remedy, and is considered one of nature's best nutraceuticals because it contains protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal all-around tonic.18,19 It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, antirheumatic, anticonvulsant, antihistamine, hypotensive and anti-anaphylactic properties.20 These beneficial effects can be passed on to the essential oil as well.

People who suffer from inflammation-related disorders like rheumatism, arthritis and osteoporosis can benefit from nettle oil.21 It has also shown promise in helping skin abrasions and burns to heal.22

How to Make Nettle Oil Infusion

If you want to reap the benefits of nettle oil, you can make a simple nettle oil infusion at home. Here's a step-by-step procedure:23

How to Make Nettle Oil Infusion

Procedure:

1. Harvest fresh nettle leaves and stems (make sure you're wearing protective gloves to avoid being stung) and pack them in a large glass container.

2. Immerse the leaves and stems completely with olive oil.

3. Cover with a lid tightly and leave on a sunny windowsill for two to three weeks. Make sure you stir it daily.

4. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth. Store in a dark glass container, in a cool place away from sunlight.

How Does Nettle Oil Work?

Nettle and nettle oil contain biologically active compounds that suppress inflammation, which may be responsible for its many healing properties.24 When taken orally, products or extracts made from nettle's aerial parts may also help interfere with the body's production of prostaglandin, as well as other inflammation-causing chemicals.25 Please remember to consult a qualified physician prior to using nettle or nettle oil, especially when taking it orally.

Is Nettle Oil Safe?

Yes, it is. However, if you suffer from any allergy or sensitivity to nettle or plants in the same family, it's better if you avoid using nettle oil, whether topically or orally.26 It is also advisable to avoid using nettle oil at full strength, and instead to dilute it in a safe carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil.

To ensure that you will not experience any allergic reaction to nettle oil, do a skin patch test before using the oil. It's pretty basic: Just apply a drop of nettle oil on your arm. If any itchiness or reaction occurs, avoid using the oil. I do not recommend it for pregnant women and breastfeeding moms, as there are no studies that guarantee its safety for these conditions.   

Side Effects of Nettle Oil

Stinging nettle and its essential oil (when ingested) may result in mild side effects, such as rashes, stomach upset and fluid retention. It may also interact with sedatives and medications for blood clotting, diabetes and high blood pressure , so consult your health care practitioner before using it,27 particularly if you're suffering from any type of ailment.

[jakehglover]

Nettle Oil: More Than Just a Backyard Weed

Nettle commonly grows in backyards and gardens, but did you know that this weed can also have profound benefits for your body? In fact, nettle is a popular herbal medicine in many parts of the world. Here’s one way to reap its benefits: Use nettle oil. Discover the uses of this lesser-known but equally versatile herbal oil.

What Is Nettle Oil?

Nettle oil or nettle extract comes from Urtica dioica, a creeping, fibrous perennial plant from the Urticaceae plant family.1 Nettle, also known as hemp nettle, white nettle or devil’s leaf, is native to Eurasia, but now grows wild across the U.S. and other parts of the globe. It can be found in temperate regions, from Japan to the Andes Mountains.2

Nettle can be identified by its creeping yellow roots, small green flowers, and ovate, pointed and toothed leaves that are covered with bristly stinging hair that can pierce the skin upon contact — hence, it’s more popular nickname, “stinging nettle.” In fact, the common name “nettle” actually comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “noedl,” which means "needle." Its hairy, erect, single stalks grow in clusters, giving it a bushy appearance. The plant can grow as tall as 4 feet (1.2 meters).3

Nettle has a long history of use as food and medicine. Its fibers are even said to have been used to make cloth.4 However, don’t be so quick to touch it — the fine hairs all over the plant release formic acid, histamine and acetylcholine, chemicals that can cause pain and irritation when they come in contact with the skin.5

But here’s what’s unique about this plant: If the hairs come in contact with a part of your body that’s in pain, the original pain can decrease. It’s said to be so effective that it’s the primary material used in the process of urtication: deliberately stinging the skin with nettles.6

According to an article published by PennState Hershey, scientists believe this is because nettle can minimize your body’s levels of inflammatory chemicals. It can also interfere with the way pain is transmitted in your body.7 A 2013 study published in Phytomedicine found that nettle extract may be even more effective than traditional tinctures in easing inflammatory disorders.8

Nettle oil is usually extracted from the leaves and stems of the plant. Nettle oil is commonly added to many personal care products, such as soap and hair conditioner. It can also be taken in capsule form.9

Uses of Nettle Oil

According to Mother Earth News, nettle has been used for over 2,000 years to stop all kinds of internal and external bleeding. Many healers also considered it a good blood purifier. Nettle can be taken as a tea, to help clear mucus congestion, skin irritation, diarrhea and water retention.10 On the other hand, you can use nettle oil by:

• Adding it to your shampoo and other hair products: Nettle oil not only promotes healthy hair growth, but can also help scalp conditions like psoriasis and dandruff. Massage it onto your hair and wrap a towel around your head. Leave the oil on your scalp overnight and then rinse out the next day.11

• Mixing it with a safe carrier oil and massaging it on your skin: According to Stylecraze, topical application of nettle oil may help ease insect bites, eczema and chickenpox.12

• Taking it in capsule form: Nettle oil, when taken orally, may work as a diuretic.13 It can also help ease prostate issues,14 gout and allergic rhinitis.

Composition of Nettle Oil

Some of the major components found in nettle include thymol, carvacrol, cymene, anisole, terpene, phenylpropene derivatives and eucalyptol.16 The leaves, which are commonly used to make nettle oil infusion, contain provitamin A, vitamins B1 and K, sistosterin and xanthophylls.17

Benefits of Nettle Oil

Stinging nettle is a useful herbal remedy, and is considered one of nature’s best nutraceuticals because it contains protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal all-around tonic.18,19 It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, antirheumatic, anticonvulsant, antihistamine, hypotensive and anti-anaphylactic properties.20 These beneficial effects can be passed on to the essential oil as well.

People who suffer from inflammation-related disorders like rheumatism, arthritis and osteoporosis can benefit from nettle oil.21 It has also shown promise in helping skin abrasions and burns to heal.22

How to Make Nettle Oil Infusion

If you want to reap the benefits of nettle oil, you can make a simple nettle oil infusion at home. Here’s a step-by-step procedure:23

How to Make Nettle Oil Infusion

Procedure:

1. Harvest fresh nettle leaves and stems (make sure you’re wearing protective gloves to avoid being stung) and pack them in a large glass container.

2. Immerse the leaves and stems completely with olive oil.

3. Cover with a lid tightly and leave on a sunny windowsill for two to three weeks. Make sure you stir it daily.

4. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth. Store in a dark glass container, in a cool place away from sunlight.

How Does Nettle Oil Work?

Nettle and nettle oil contain biologically active compounds that suppress inflammation, which may be responsible for its many healing properties.24 When taken orally, products or extracts made from nettle’s aerial parts may also help interfere with the body’s production of prostaglandin, as well as other inflammation-causing chemicals.25 Please remember to consult a qualified physician prior to using nettle or nettle oil, especially when taking it orally.

Is Nettle Oil Safe?

Yes, it is. However, if you suffer from any allergy or sensitivity to nettle or plants in the same family, it’s better if you avoid using nettle oil, whether topically or orally.26 It is also advisable to avoid using nettle oil at full strength, and instead to dilute it in a safe carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil.

To ensure that you will not experience any allergic reaction to nettle oil, do a skin patch test before using the oil. It’s pretty basic: Just apply a drop of nettle oil on your arm. If any itchiness or reaction occurs, avoid using the oil. I do not recommend it for pregnant women and breastfeeding moms, as there are no studies that guarantee its safety for these conditions.   

Side Effects of Nettle Oil

Stinging nettle and its essential oil (when ingested) may result in mild side effects, such as rashes, stomach upset and fluid retention. It may also interact with sedatives and medications for blood clotting, diabetes and high blood pressure , so consult your health care practitioner before using it,27 particularly if you’re suffering from any type of ailment.

from HealthyLife via Jake Glover on Inoreader https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/05/24/nettle-oil.aspx

[sherristockman]

Nettle Oil: More Than Just a Backyard Weed Dr. Mercola Nettle commonly grows in backyards and gardens, but did you know that this weed can also have profound benefits for your body? In fact, nettle is a popular herbal medicine in many parts of the world. Here’s one way to reap its benefits: Use nettle oil. Discover the uses of this lesser-known but equally versatile herbal oil. What Is Nettle Oil? Nettle oil or nettle extract comes from Urtica dioica, a creeping, fibrous perennial plant from the Urticaceae plant family.1 Nettle, also known as hemp nettle, white nettle or devil’s leaf, is native to Eurasia, but now grows wild across the U.S. and other parts of the globe. It can be found in temperate regions, from Japan to the Andes Mountains.2 Nettle can be identified by its creeping yellow roots, small green flowers, and ovate, pointed and toothed leaves that are covered with bristly stinging hair that can pierce the skin upon contact — hence, it’s more popular nickname, “stinging nettle.” In fact, the common name “nettle” actually comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “noedl,” which means "needle." Its hairy, erect, single stalks grow in clusters, giving it a bushy appearance. The plant can grow as tall as 4 feet (1.2 meters).3 Nettle has a long history of use as food and medicine. Its fibers are even said to have been used to make cloth.4 However, don’t be so quick to touch it — the fine hairs all over the plant release formic acid, histamine and acetylcholine, chemicals that can cause pain and irritation when they come in contact with the skin.5 But here’s what’s unique about this plant: If the hairs come in contact with a part of your body that’s in pain, the original pain can decrease. It’s said to be so effective that it’s the primary material used in the process of urtication: deliberately stinging the skin with nettles.6 According to an article published by PennState Hershey, scientists believe this is because nettle can minimize your body’s levels of inflammatory chemicals. It can also interfere with the way pain is transmitted in your body.7 A 2013 study published in Phytomedicine found that nettle extract may be even more effective than traditional tinctures in easing inflammatory disorders.8 Nettle oil is usually extracted from the leaves and stems of the plant. Nettle oil is commonly added to many personal care products, such as soap and hair conditioner. It can also be taken in capsule form.9 Uses of Nettle Oil According to Mother Earth News, nettle has been used for over 2,000 years to stop all kinds of internal and external bleeding. Many healers also considered it a good blood purifier. Nettle can be taken as a tea, to help clear mucus congestion, skin irritation, diarrhea and water retention.10 On the other hand, you can use nettle oil by: • Adding it to your shampoo and other hair products: Nettle oil not only promotes healthy hair growth, but can also help scalp conditions like psoriasis and dandruff. Massage it onto your hair and wrap a towel around your head. Leave the oil on your scalp overnight and then rinse out the next day.11 • Mixing it with a safe carrier oil and massaging it on your skin: According to Stylecraze, topical application of nettle oil may help ease insect bites, eczema and chickenpox.12 • Taking it in capsule form: Nettle oil, when taken orally, may work as a diuretic.13 It can also help ease prostate issues,14 gout and allergic rhinitis. Composition of Nettle Oil Some of the major components found in nettle include thymol, carvacrol, cymene, anisole, terpene, phenylpropene derivatives and eucalyptol.16 The leaves, which are commonly used to make nettle oil infusion, contain provitamin A, vitamins B1 and K, sistosterin and xanthophylls.17 Benefits of Nettle Oil Stinging nettle is a useful herbal remedy, and is considered one of nature’s best nutraceuticals because it contains protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal all-around tonic.18,19 It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, antirheumatic, anticonvulsant, antihistamine, hypotensive and anti-anaphylactic properties.20 These beneficial effects can be passed on to the essential oil as well. People who suffer from inflammation-related disorders like rheumatism, arthritis and osteoporosis can benefit from nettle oil.21 It has also shown promise in helping skin abrasions and burns to heal.22 How to Make Nettle Oil Infusion If you want to reap the benefits of nettle oil, you can make a simple nettle oil infusion at home. Here’s a step-by-step procedure:23 How to Make Nettle Oil Infusion Procedure: 1. Harvest fresh nettle leaves and stems (make sure you’re wearing protective gloves to avoid being stung) and pack them in a large glass container. 2. Immerse the leaves and stems completely with olive oil. 3. Cover with a lid tightly and leave on a sunny windowsill for two to three weeks. Make sure you stir it daily. 4. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth. Store in a dark glass container, in a cool place away from sunlight. How Does Nettle Oil Work? Nettle and nettle oil contain biologically active compounds that suppress inflammation, which may be responsible for its many healing properties.24 When taken orally, products or extracts made from nettle’s aerial parts may also help interfere with the body’s production of prostaglandin, as well as other inflammation-causing chemicals.25 Please remember to consult a qualified physician prior to using nettle or nettle oil, especially when taking it orally. Is Nettle Oil Safe? Yes, it is. However, if you suffer from any allergy or sensitivity to nettle or plants in the same family, it’s better if you avoid using nettle oil, whether topically or orally.26 It is also advisable to avoid using nettle oil at full strength, and instead to dilute it in a safe carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil. To ensure that you will not experience any allergic reaction to nettle oil, do a skin patch test before using the oil. It’s pretty basic: Just apply a drop of nettle oil on your arm. If any itchiness or reaction occurs, avoid using the oil. I do not recommend it for pregnant women and breastfeeding moms, as there are no studies that guarantee its safety for these conditions. Side Effects of Nettle Oil Stinging nettle and its essential oil (when ingested) may result in mild side effects, such as rashes, stomach upset and fluid retention. It may also interact with sedatives and medications for blood clotting, diabetes and high blood pressure , so consult your health care practitioner before using it,27 particularly if you’re suffering from any type of ailment.

[elephantbitterhead]

My wee nettle child has performed like a champion. That’s 8g of seed, probably somewhere between 200-300 seeds. Two years ago, this plant was a single less-than-thriving volunteer beside the coal bunkers; I managed to get 6 seeds from it. This year, I got one successful seedling from those seeds. That single plant was the source of all these seeds, most of which I harvested by hand with a very dainty pair of tweezers.

Next year, though -- next year via these seeds there will be an impenetrable forest of large-flowered hemp nettle thriving somewhere on this property. At that point, I think (read: hope) I can leave it alone to thrill the bees and maintain itself.

[elephantbitterhead]

This is my large-flowered hemp nettle (Galeopsis speciosa) seedling, sporting some very symmetrical dewdrops this morning. A single plant appeared as a volunteer in the garden last year, and just three of the seeds I collected managed to sprout. Only one has made it to this stage. Commercial seed is difficult to come by, so I really hope this fellow makes it. If the universe is willing, in a few months he will look like this:

I think these are the prettiest of the wild nettles, but of course they’re also the rarest. The yard is teeeming with red and white dead nettles, as well as a few common hemp nettles (which are similar to this type, but w/less-fancy flowers). Unfortunately there are also some pockets of stinging nettle lurking about, but much less than there was at this time last year.

I’d really like to see more of these fancy ones, so let’s cross our fingers for this wee person to grow up strong & make a bunch more seed for me.