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
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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
- 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
