THE GREATE NETTLE | URTICA DIOICA
- Fride Kramer Riseng
- Mar 5
- 5 min read
The genus Urtica comes from the nettle family and includes 2000 species, grouped into 55 genera. Urticaceae species can grow up to 5 m tall and grow over most of the world, except for the polar regions. The largest concentration of Urticaceae is in tropical Asia. They range from houseplants and roses to large trees. Some must be cut with a machete, while others are fatal to the touch. The nettle family is of fine folk, they belong to the order Rosales, the Rose Order, along with apples, almonds, strawberries and raspberries.
In Norway, the following species grow:
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
Skognesle (Urtica dioica ssp. Holosericea = subspecies of stinging nettle)
Linesle (Urtica dioica ssp. Sondenii = subspecies of stinging nettle)
Stinging nettle (Urtica urens)
and the potted plant Husfred (Soleirolia soleirolii).
In Sweden, species that are not found in Norway grow:
Hemp nettle (Urtica cannabina L)
Band nettle (Urtica me mbranacea poir)
Roman nettle (Urtica p ilulifera L)
We can assume that the nettle is several hundred thousand years old, and that it has probably changed shape a number of times. Here in Norway we have finds of stinging nettle dating back to the Paleolithic period (8,300 – 7,500 BC), but further south in Europe we have finds of stinging nettle dating back to 10,000 BC. The nettle must have been a pioneer plant that followed the ice edge as the land became ice-free.
Stinging nettle grows almost anywhere and will have different nutritional content whether it grows on a gravel pile, in clay or oily topsoil. Some claim that the fiber quality is best when the plant grows on clay soil with potassium in the ground, while others swear by forest soil in partial shade. It sounds logical that the fibers become stronger in plants that are exposed to wind, much like our muscles grow when they are exercised, or that the plant gets long fibers when it stretches towards the light. The urticae thrive in nitrogen-rich soil and therefore follow in the footsteps of humans. Although they are very willing to grow, they prefer moist habitats.
DRAGON TEETH AND ARMOR OF BURNING NEEDLES
The leaves and stem of the stinging nettle are covered with stinging hairs, or needles. The leaves are heart-shaped pointed "dragon teeth", and the stem is jointed like bamboo. The fiber, which is in the outer layer, does not grow like flax and hemp, continuous from head to toe, but starts and ends differently and overlaps each other. These fibers consist of about 5 cm long fragments that also clump together in groups. Each fiber "hair" is wrapped with a plant mass that consists of several things, including pectin, equation, cellulose and gum that is difficult to get rid of. The disadvantage is that it makes the thread stiff at first, but eventually it will crumble away and fall off and make the twist in the thread looser. On the other hand, the nettle fabric becomes very, VERY soft over time and is therefore particularly suitable for body-tight textiles.
If you ask Chaht GPT about the structure of nettle fiber, the service replies, (almost directly quoted)
...that it consists of 70 - 80% cellulose, - which provides stability. Hemicellulose gives the fiber flexibility, while lignin (5-10%) acts as a binder that gives the fiber stiffness and resistance to degradation. Pectins affect the fiber's properties such as elasticity and texture, and waxes and other compounds affect the fiber's surface properties, such as shine and resistance to moisture. Chat GPT further states that:
Primary cell wall: Consists mainly of cellulose and hemicellulose, with some pectins and proteins.
Secondary cell wall: Thicker layer containing higher concentrations of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.
Lumen: The internal cavity within each fiber, which may contribute to the fibers' insulating properties.
The conclusion is that: Nettle fibers have good properties that make them suitable for textile production, including high strength, breathability, and the ability to absorb moisture.
The combination of "bamboo joints" (Petra call it "knees") and overlapping fibers means that nettle fiber can never be as long as linen or hemp, and it is almost unfair to call all offcuts "tow." Because even with shorter fibers, the thread becomes fine and strong.
NETTLE ABOVE AND BELOW THE GROUND
Nettle is a pioneer that survives as a species by spreading out in search of nettle company, eager to set roots. Each root stalk will create a family that in the wild can stand for 12-15 years with no care other than harvesting and a little fertilizer. In retrospect, I have learned from the German textile industry that planted nettles (for textile use, - if that matters?) are replaced after 8-15 years, depending on the soil and growing conditions. Nettle farmer Pavel Hala recommends not touching the plant for the first two years.
The root system of the nettle is simply fabulous and goes so deep and wide that it can be difficult to get rid of. The roots have a lot of small hairs that in themselves can be enough to start a new plant.
By taking cuttings, the cultivation area grows in size as each new plant becomes a mound. The plants are dioecious, that is, either male or female plants, dependent on each other to carry on the genus. (But there are also hermaphrodite nettles, and these have very special properties.) Nettles reproduce by insects mixing pollen from plant to plant. For this reason, they stretch towards each other. It is said that the female flowers burn more than the male flowers, supposedly because she has more valuable cargo (seeds), while the male just sheds pollen.
THE CHAMELEON OF PLANTS
But the nettle is not only the dragon of plants, - it is also a chameleon! Nettle farmer Pavel has large areas with the same nettle. Nevertheless, the plants are different with different uses depending on where they grow. Some grow in beautiful forest meadows surrounded by beautiful, large trees and streams, some grow as dark undergrowth and become insanely tall, while others grow on sunny hills. In addition, he has fields with plants by gender. Because, believe it or not, - this also plays a role when it comes to the production the plants will be used for!
OBEDIENT DOG OR TRIFIDE?
You see, - the nettle is really special... it is like an obedient dog that seeks company with humans. While many would probably rather categorize it as a TRIFIDE. (And if you don't know what it is, you really HAVE to follow the link to the wonderful 70's (?) radio play; In the days of the triffids! Unforgettable experience!)
[6] Systematics, Taxonomy, and Evolution of Urtica L. (Urticaceae), Bernadette Große-Veldmann, Det matematisk-naturvitenskapelige fakultet Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
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