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Feature Expedition

Nettles (Urticaceae) of South America at the Kew Herbarium

SpecimensRoyal Botanic Gardens - Kew

 

The Nettle family (Urticaceae) is known for its stinging hairs that cover species of the Urticeae tribe’s leaves. These are called urticating hairs and are why the family was given its name! Species of the nettle family can be found across the world, apart from in the polar regions. They range from shrubs and lianas to herbs or (rarely) trees!

The most renowned of the nettle family are the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), the wood nettles (Laportea), and the Australian stinging trees (Dendrocnide). Another important Genus of the family is the Pilea genus of herbaceous creeping plants. These are popular pot plants and houseplants! The most common being the Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides), the Watermelon Pilea (Pilea cadierei), or the Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata).

In this expedition you will discover species from the Nettle family that can be found in South America!

Read more about nettles in these blogs:

Long live the weeds

Systematics, taxonomy and evolution of the nettle family, Urticaceae

Plants on your street

Want to learn more about Kew's Digitisation Project? 
 
Digitising Kew's Collections

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55% Transcribed
8% Validated
63% Transcribed
659 Tasks

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