Eucnide urens
Desert bush nettle
(c) mel letterman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Loasaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Eucnide urens (Desert bush nettle) is a native California subshrub in the Loasaceae family, recognized by clear size and morphological differences from E. rupestris.
Desert bush nettle is a California native annual found in the Mojave Desert bioregion in rocky habitats including cliffs, rocky slopes, and washes at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pale petals with a spreading arrangement. Growing 30 to 100 centimeters tall with an upright habit, it has stems supporting distinctive foliage. Its leaves are generally ovate, approximately 10 centimeters long, with irregular tooth edges and a dull gray-green coloration. The fruit develops as a club-shaped structure 10 to 20 millimeters long, borne on ascending pedicels.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; clear size and morphological differences from E. rupestris
Habitat and range
Habitat: Cliffs, rocky slopes, washes
Elevation: < 1400 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, Arizona, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Eucnide urens blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Mentzelia: Eucnide has petals fused at base and 5 stigma lobes; Mentzelia has free petals and 3 stigma lobes.; vs Petalonyx: Eucnide is an annual herb; Petalonyx is a woody shrub.; vs Sherardia: Eucnide has many stamens and stinging hairs; Sherardia has 4 stamens and no stinging hairs.; vs Sambucus: Eucnide is an annual with stinging hairs; Sambucus is a woody shrub without stinging hairs.; vs Viburnum: Eucnide is an annual desert herb; Viburnum is a woody shrub.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eucnide urens native to California?
Yes. Eucnide urens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eucnide urens bloom?
Eucnide urens blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Eucnide urens grow?
Eucnide urens occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, at elevations of < 1400 m.
What plant family does Eucnide urens belong to?
Eucnide urens is in the Loasaceae family, genus Eucnide.
What habitat does Eucnide urens grow in?
Eucnide urens grows in Cliffs, rocky slopes, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.