Laportea canadensis (Linnaeus) Weddell. Common name: Woodnettle. Phenology: May-Aug; late Jul-Oct. Habitat: Moist, nutrient-rich forests, seepage swamps, especially abundant in cove forests in the Mountains and bottomlands in the Piedmont. By mid-summer, Laportea often becomes the aspect dominant in rich, moist cove forests of the mountains (especially those with extensive seepage), visually replacing the diverse spring flora. Distribution: Nova Scotia and se. Manitoba south to Panhandle Florida and Oklahoma.
ID notes: Laportea canadensis has alternate leaves (vs. Boehmeria cylindrica with opposite leaves).
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Other Comments: The stinging hairs can penetrate pants made of light-weight or loosely woven fabrics.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, Can, F, FNA3, G, GrPl, GW2, Il, K1, K4, Mi, Mo3, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, RAB, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV; = Oblixilis canadensis (L.) Raf.; ? Urticastrum divaricatum (L.) Kuntze — S, S13. Basionym: Urtica canadensis L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Laportea canadensis - FNA3
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
- Great Plains: FAC
- Midwest: FACW
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACW
Heliophily ⓘ: 2
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© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Eric M Powell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eric M Powell source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
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© Eric M Powell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eric M Powell source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Stephanie Brundage. Canada Wood-nettle, Laportea canadensis LACA3 With seeds. CC-BY
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© Eric M Powell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eric M Powell source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
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© Bruce Sorrie
© Edwin Bridges | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming
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no rights reserved, uploaded by Mara McHaffie source CC0 | Original Image ⭷
© Stephanie Brundage. Wood nettle, Laportea canadensis LACA3 CC-BY
© Stephanie Brundage. Wood Nettle, Laportea canadensis LACA3 CC-BY
© Nick Kleinschmidt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Kleinschmidt source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Janet Wright, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Janet Wright source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Stephanie Brundage. Wood nettle, Laportea canadensis LACA3 terminal female and axillary male flowers CC-BY
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷Feedback
Horticultural Information
Intro: Upright perennial covered in stinging hairs, found in moist, nutrient-rich forests and seepage swamps, especially abundant in cove forests in the Mountains and bottomlands in the Piedmont.
Stems: Stems stout, covered with stinging hairs.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, long-petiolate, oval and with long pointed tips, 2-6 in. long, with prominent veins, sharply toothed,.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Male and female flowers in separate branching clusters arising from leaf axils, the female ones toward top of plant. Female flowers with 4 tiny, greenish-white sepals, and male flowers with 5 sepals (no petals).
Fruits: Fruit an achene containing 1 shiny, black seed.
Comments:
Height: 1-3.5 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Upright perennial covered in stinging hairs, found in moist, nutrient-rich forests and seepage swamps, especially abundant in cove forests in the Mountains and bottomlands in the Piedmont.
stems: Stems stout, covered with stinging hairs.
leaves: Leaves alternate, long-petiolate, oval and with long pointed tips, 2-6 in. long, with prominent veins, sharply toothed,.
inflorescence:
flowers: Male and female flowers in separate branching clusters arising from leaf axils, the female ones toward top of plant. Female flowers with 4 tiny, greenish-white sepals, and male flowers with 5 sepals (no petals).
fruits: Fruit an achene containing 1 shiny, black seed.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern North America