Urtica dioica; 'stinging nettle'

A very common plant in a wide range of habitats, sunny and shaded and preferably rich in nutrients, especially phosphates and prefers damp soils. Found in gardens, waste ground to fens and riverbanks.

Urtica dioica have many tiny white flowers which are grouped into drooping string like clusters. The stems are purplish and grow from a creeping rootstock,. The stems and leaves are covered in long stinging short hairs and also shorted non stinging hairs. The leaves grow in opposite pairs with coarsely toothed edges.

This nettle was found on the edge of a path, this route is often used by dog walkers. I suspect the nettles grew here due to dogs regularly urinating and creating a nitrogen rich soil which Nettles love.

Nettles are important to many Insect species as they aren't often eaten by grazing species due to the stinging nettles. Nettles support over 40 types of insects and numerous butterflies. So adding nettles in a design gives areas were insects can bloom which would lead to the increase of larger animals into sites.