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Spurge Nettle Cnidoscolus stimulosus

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

Spurge nettle is a perennial native herb covered with stinging hairs commonly found in forested or natural areas in sandy woods.  It can be  weedy in disturbed areas along roadsides and old fields.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#NC native#delicate#stinging hairs#woodland garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#NC native#delicate#stinging hairs#woodland garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cnidoscolus
    Species:
    stimulosus
    Family:
    Euphorbiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America, NC
    Edibility:
    Tubers; gather by digging from the side and without touching tops
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herb
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The 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 Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    White, tubular, 5-parted flowers in a terminal cyme. It consists of pistillate flowers in the center with staminate flowers ouside
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    The 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 Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Branched green stems with stinging hairs and white latex sap
  • 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
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unidentified
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Stems