Urtica L.

3 species in Aust. (1 native, 2 naturalized); all states and territories

Erect herbs covered with rigid stinging hairs. Leaves opposite, serrate, petiolate. Flowers unisexual, small, green or white. Perianth deeply 4-lobed; the lobes equal in male flowers but the 2 inner ones enlarged in the female. Stamens 4. Fruit a small nut enclosed in the perianth.