Nettle, Stinging

Original seeds from Pinetree Garden Seeds 2018; these are from 2025. Spring leaves are good to eat from March to May. Plants go to seed by summer solstice. 6-ft. seed stalks bear tassels with clusters of tiny green flowers. Male & female flowers on separate plants. Seeds mature in August - September. Tender young growth is tasty and nutritious. Leaves sting when touched, so wear long sleeves, trousers. Spread is by runners, like mint, so be careful where you plant it. The plant's sting (the little hairs on the fresh leaves) was traditionally used to numb arthritis pain. I have rubbed fresh leaves onto my skin to ease shingles pain, finding that 5 minutes of that stinging produces 24 hours of relief. Once dried or cooked, the leaves do not sting.