The Stinging Nettle grows in moist thickets of the Pacific States. Its scientific name is Urtica dioica. They can be three to seven feet tall. It has tiny pale green flower clusters above pairs of green leaves. The leaves have painful stinging hairs. If someone touches this plant they will be hurt because it stings. The young plants are edible and make delicious greens.
Native Americans used nettles for many things. They made nets, baskets, clothing, and other objects from nettle stems. Nettles were also used for medicine to reduce aches and pains, stop nosebleeds, and cure colds.