You've seen the beauty in my last post, now let me introduce you to the beast...A few weeks ago I was clearing spent veggie plants in the garden when all of a sudden a prick and searing burning sensation overtook my lower arm. Not a bee in sight. It happened right after brushing up against a little weed and I ended up with 5 welts. I asked friends native to the area to see if they had any idea what plant had stung me...and got some pretty strange looks. It appeared as if I was a complete nut case.
Alas I am sane. Today I was once again the victim of this beasty little plant - once again I have welts and lo and behold there was the same little weed poking up at me. Angry over my relaxing garden time being so rudely interrupted, I stormed into the house and consulted the great Google to see what attacked me.
Stinging Nettle. It's an herb. You can boil it and eat it in soup. It has little hairs all over it that act like mini hypodermic needles and inject poison into your skin. Apparently it has tropical relations that can do real damage. In my world it will be henceforth called beastweed. Ouch.
4 comments:
You must be back East? My grandmother used to caution me about going round' back the garage...cause' of the stinging nettles.....
Don't think I've heard of them around California! Ouch.
I too have heard of them, but yet to see one in the Pacific NW. Little bastards - but yet very interesting plants. I'm sure you may just be able to find a use for it in the future :)
Ouch! Sounds like an interesting idea to boil it and try in soup. I'm waiting for an entry on that someday!
Oh, gawd, yeah - those are awful. I used to get stung by nettles in our yard back in England. Totally sucked. Be careful!
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