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Bull Nettle Cnidoscolus stimulosus

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Bull Nettle:

Previously known as:

  • Cnidoscolus urens
Phonetic Spelling
nye-DOS-ko-lus stim-yoo-LOH-sus
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Spurge nettle is a flowering, herbacous perennial, native plant in the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family. Spurge nettle produces white, trumpet-shaped flowers in terminal clusters. However, you need to take note of the other common names for this plant and approach it cautiously as it is covered with stinging hairs. Spurge nettle is commonly found in forested or natural areas in sandy woods, along roadsides, and old fields. It can be  weedy in disturbed areas. The species name stimulosus comes from the Latin, stimulus, meaning "goad" or "prod".

Spurge nettle does best in light shade (2 to 6 hours of daily sun) and well-drained, sandy soil.

Spurge nettle is weedy with a stout tap root and not recommended for the home landscape. Spurge nettle is closely related to C. urens, but differs enough in habit, leaf pubescence, and seed shape, that the two are treated as distinct species.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests. The hairs on this plant contain a caustic irritant that inflicts a painful sting to bare skin causing a painful, irritating rash.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#NC native#herbaceous perennial#delicate#stinging hairs#weed#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#NC native#herbaceous perennial#delicate#stinging hairs#weed#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cnidoscolus
    Species:
    stimulosus
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Virginia, south to Florida, west to Texas.
    Distribution:
    Introduced to Kentucky.
    Edibility:
    The tap root is used as a potato substitute, tasting like pasta. Gather tubers by digging from the side and without touching the tops.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The 1/2 inch fruit is a 3-sided capsule with a single seed in each section. It is green and covered in stinging hairs.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    White, tubular, 5-parted flowers in a terminal cyme. It consists of pistillate flowers in the center with staminate flowers ouside. Blossoms from early spring into early fall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The 3 to 6 inch ovate to round leaves are alternate, simple, palmately 3-5 lobed with toothed margins and covered with stinging hairs.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Branched green stems with stinging hairs and white latex sap. Stems are 1 to 2 feet in height.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Severe stinging of the skin lasting no longer than one hour. Can cause more serious reactions in some people. Leaves should not be consumed in quantity.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unidentified cyanogenic glycoside.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Stems