Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis
American stinging nettle, American Stinging Nettle
Photo: parent species Urtica gracilis · (c) John A Haskins, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Urticaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis (American stinging nettle) is a native California herb in the Urticaceae family, recognized by Co-occurs with 3 congeners; distinguished by leaf shape and coastal low-elevation habitat.
American stinging nettle is a native perennial found in northern coastal California, the Trinity Alps, northern coastal California, and the San Joaquin Valley delta in moist or riparian areas and willow scrub at elevations below 245 meters. Flowering from March to October, this plant produces small inconspicuous greenish flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with tall stems 100 to 250 centimeters high, it forms dense stands with prominent stinging hairs. Its leaves are broadly ovate, typically 5 to 10 centimeters long, with serrated edges and a distinctive stinging texture. The plant is generally monoecious, with male and female flowers occurring on the same plant.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 3 congeners; distinguished by leaf shape and coastal low-elevation habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist or riparian areas, willow scrub
Elevation: < 245 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Humboldt, Colusa, Marin, Del Norte, Mendocino, Sonoma, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Contra Costa, Plumas, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Glenn, Tehama, Lake, El Dorado, San Diego, San Joaquin, Monterey, Trinity, Placer, Alameda, Mono
Outside California: United States, Canada
Bloom period
Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis blooms Mar-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Hesperocnide: Urtica has 4 separate unequal sepals; Hesperocnide has 2-4 fused equal sepals.; vs Scrophularia: Urtica has stinging hairs; Scrophularia is safe to touch.; vs Stachys: Urtica stings and has tiny nettle flowers; Stachys is safe with tubular mint flowers.; vs Phacelia: Urtica has opposite leaves and stings; Phacelia has coiled flower clusters and doesn't sting.; vs Rubus: Urtica has stinging hairs on herbaceous stems; Rubus has thorns on woody canes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis native to California?
Yes. Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis bloom?
Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis blooms Mar-Oct.
Where in California does Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis grow?
Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis occurs in San Luis Obispo, Humboldt, Colusa, Marin, Del Norte, Mendocino, Sonoma, San Francisco and other counties, at elevations of < 245 m.
What plant family does Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis belong to?
Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis is in the Urticaceae family, genus Urtica.
What habitat does Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis grow in?
Urtica gracilis subsp. gracilis grows in Moist or riparian areas, willow scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.