/ 3 [ 1750 ]
U R T I C A d io ic a ..
Great Nettle.
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MONOECIA Tetrandria.
Gen. Char. Male, Cal. 4-leaved. Cor. none. Rudiment
of a germen cup-shaped. Female, Cal.
2-leaved. Cor. none. Seed 1, superior, polished.
Spec. Char. Leaves opposite, heart-shaped. Clusters
much branched, in pairs, mostly dioecious.
Syn. Urtica dioica. Linn. Sp. PL 1396. Sm. FI.
Brit. 1016. Huds. 417- With. 201. Hull. 210.
Relh. 3 7 5 . Sihth. 62. A llo t . 208. Curt. Bond,
fasc. 6. t. 6 9 .
U. racemifera major perennis. Rati Syn. 139.
EV ER Y body is acquainted with the common perennial
Nettle, so abundant in waste places, whether open or shady,
blossoming throughout the latter part of summer; but few have
perhaps had courage or curiosity enough to investigate parts
so strictly guarded, and to perceive that the barren flowers are
commonly all from one root, the fertile from another, or,
which is still more curious, that both occasionally meet on
the same plant, for the more certain, preservation of the
species.
The roots are perennial and creeping. Stems erect, 3 feet
hicrh, leafy, simple, bluntly quadrangular, clothed, like almost
every other part of the plant, with stinging bristles. Leaves
on stalks, opposite, heart-shaped,, pointed, veiny, coarsely
serrated. Stipulae ovate, erect, membranous, smooth. Clusters
axillary, in pairs, spreading, much branched; their stalks flat.
Calyx of the seed often with 2 additional leaves, or bracteas,
which are not always present.
The fibres of the stem may be manufactured like hemp, a
plant nearly allied to this in botanical affinity.
1 7 5 0
w