Paleo Foraging

Urtica chamaedryoides Pursh

Common name: Heartleaf nettle

Location in Texas: C, SE, S, SW, E & sparse N TX; common in Travis Co.

Form: herb; annual.

Flowers: Jan-Nov (white, pink, purple)

Experimentation

This species appears to be usable in the same ways as Urtica dioica. I have used it for food in the same ways. I pick the foliage with leather gloves, using a knife to cut the stem. I boil it to denature the formic acid in the stinging hairs. A quick parboil leaves it usable for salads. Otherwise, it can be used in the same ways as spinach. The water left after boiling it makes an excellent tea. The plant is highly nutritious.