Status:
valid
Authors:
Aiton
Source:
tro
Year:
1789
Citation Micro:
Hort. Kew. 3: 341 (1789)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001143258
Common Names
- Slender Nettle
- Graceful Nettle
- Graceful Stinging Nettle
Description
Urtica gracilis (also called False Nettle, False Nettle-tree, and False Nettle-vine, among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant in the nettle family Urticaceae. It is native to tropical regions of the Americas, from Mexico to northern Argentina. It is a small, evergreen perennial herbaceous plant that grows in dense mats or clumps. It has small, round, bright green leaves and small white flowers.
Uses & Benefits
Urtica gracilis is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and is known for its attractive foliage and colorful flowers.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Urtica gracilis sub. aquatica (Liebm.) Weigend
Urtica gracilis sub. incaica Weigend
Urtica gracilis sub. mollis (Steud.) Weigend
Urtica gracilis sub. holosericea (Nutt.) W.A.Weber
Urtica gracilis sub. gracilis
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Urtica gracilis has small, yellow-green flowers that bloom in the spring. The seeds are small and winged, and the seedlings are small, with thin, smooth bark.
Cultivation and Propagation
Urtica gracilis is a fast-growing deciduous shrub that can reach heights of up to 10 feet. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Propagation is usually done through seed, cuttings, or layering. Seeds should be sown in spring or early summer in a cold frame. Cuttings should be taken in late summer or early fall and planted in a cold frame. Layering can be done in late summer or early fall by bending a branch to the ground and covering it with soil.
Where to Find Urtica gracilis
Urtica gracilis is native to eastern North America.
Species in the Urtica genus
Urtica domingensis,
Urtica australis,
Urtica atrovirens,
Urtica aspera,
Urtica ballotifolia,
Urtica dioica,
Urtica bullata,
Urtica cannabina,
Urtica bianorii,
Urtica chamaedryoides,
Urtica rupestris,
Urtica rubricaulis,
Urtica sansibarica,
Urtica simensis,
Urtica papuana,
Urtica portosanctana,
Urtica pilulifera,
Urtica wallichiana,
Urtica urens,
Urtica incisa,
Urtica ferox,
Urtica fragilis,
Urtica galeopsifolia,
Urtica membranacea,
Urtica membranifolia,
Urtica oblongata,
Urtica neubaueri,
Urtica morifolia,
Urtica lobata,
Urtica leptophylla,
Urtica laurifolia,
Urtica magellanica,
Urtica kioviensis,
Urtica lalibertadensis,
Urtica urentivelutina,
Urtica gracilis,
Urtica berteroana,
Urtica echinata,
Urtica flabellata,
Urtica glomerulaeflora,
Urtica macbridei,
Urtica masafuerae,
Urtica mexicana,
Urtica subincisa,
Urtica gracilenta,
Urtica platyphylla,
Urtica trichantha,
Urtica massaica,
Urtica spathulata,
Urtica circularis,
Species in the Urticaceae family
Archiboehmeria atrata,
Astrothalamus reticulatus,
Australina flaccida,
Australina pusilla,
Australina pusilla,
Boehmeria aspera,
Boehmeria balslevii,
Boehmeria beyeri,
Boehmeria brevirostris,
Boehmeria bullata,
Boehmeria burgeriana,
Boehmeria caudata,
Boehmeria celtidifolia,
Boehmeria clidemioides,
Boehmeria conica,
Boehmeria cylindrica,
Boehmeria densiflora,
Boehmeria depauperata,
Boehmeria didymogyne,
Boehmeria dura,
Boehmeria egregia,
Boehmeria excelsa,
Boehmeria grandis,
Boehmeria hamiltoniana,
Boehmeria helferi,
Boehmeria heterophylla,
Boehmeria holosericea,
Boehmeria japonica,
Boehmeria kiusiana,
Boehmeria kurzii,
Boehmeria lanceolata,
Boehmeria martii,
Boehmeria multiflora,
Boehmeria nakashimae,
Boehmeria nivea,
Boehmeria ourantha,
Boehmeria pavonii,
Boehmeria penduliflora,
Boehmeria pilosiuscula,
Boehmeria platanifolia,
Boehmeria polystachya,
Boehmeria radiata,
Boehmeria ramiflora,
Boehmeria repens,
Boehmeria rugosissima,
Boehmeria siamensis,
Boehmeria sieboldiana,
Boehmeria spicigera,
Boehmeria splitgerbera,
Boehmeria ternifolia,