Laportea canadensis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- lah-POR-tee-ah kan-ah-DEN-sis
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Erect, perennial herb with conspicuous stinging hairs throughout; leaves alternate, simple, coarsely toothed; flowers small and inconspicuous, in axillary clusters
Forest or natural areas in rich woods, moist bottomlands of rivers and streams
EDIBLE PARTS: Young shoots eaten as potherb. Boiling destroys irritant. Add to stews or soups. HARVEST TIME: Only collect young shoots from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. Collect the young shoots in the spring. Wear gloves while collecting shoots; the shoots can cause a stinging effect. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Soak young shoots in warm water to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. Place young shoots in boiling, salted water (with a pair of kitchen tongs) and boil for five minutes. Serve as a vegetable or add to soups. The stinging quality disappears after cooking. SOURCE: Crowhurst, A. 1972. The Weed Cookbook. Lancer Books, Inc. New York, 190 pp.
- 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:
- Laportea
- Species:
- canadensis
- Family:
- Urticaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & East Canada to Mexico
- Wildlife Value:
- This is a larval host plant for butterflies. The Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) appear as overwintered adults from spring until the end of April and they lay eggs. The summer form emerges from May-September and lays the winter form. These adults appear in September and find a location to overwinter for the next year. Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) have two broods from March-October, they overwinter from October-March in southern Texas.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Insignificant
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small and inconspicuous, in axillary clusters
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, coarsely toothed; covered in stinging hairs
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stinging hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Contact with the stinging hairs causes intense burning, itching, or stinging lasting usually less than an hour.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Mixture of chemicals, not well understood
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Stems
