Spurge Nettle Cnidoscolus stimulosus
Other Common Name(s):
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
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Weedy
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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
