Flora Medica

URTICACE^E.Nat. syst.ed. 2. p. 175.URTICA.$ . Calyx of 4 roundish, concave, obtuse, equal sepals. Stamens4, awl-shaped, spreading, opposite to the sepals, and aboutas long surrounding the rudiment of an ; ovary. 5 . Sepals 2,equal, roundish, concave. Ovary superior, ovate ; stigma sessile,downy. Achenium ovate, rather compressed, polished, embracedby the permanent calyx.606. U. crenulata Roxb.fi. ind. iii. 591. Eastern parts ofBengal.Stem erect, shrubby. Bark smooth, ash-coloured, armed with acuteburning hairs. Leaves alternate, short-stalked, oblong, acute, crenulate,or slightly dentate, both sides armed with a few burning white hairs ;stipules cordate, small, caducous. $ . Spikes axillary, solitary, dichotomous,with alternate lateral divisions. Flowers numerous. Calyx4-parted. Ovary ovate, 1-seeded; style 0. Stigma long, villous,fleshy and tapering. This nettle is reported to be one of the mostvenomous of the genus. M. Leschenault de la Tour mentions hishaving been dangerously affected by their sting (see Nat, syst.ed. 2.p. 176), of which however Roxburgh says nothing.607. U. dioica Linn. sp. pi. 1396. E. bot. t. 1750. SmithEng.fi. iv. 135. Common in waste ground. (Common nettle.)Root branching and creeping with fleshy shoots and many fibres.Herb dull green, 2-3 feet high, erect, covered with rigid stinging hairs.Leaves opposite, on long stalks, cordate, spreading, pointed, coarselyserrated, armed with stings. Racemes numerous, much branched,many-flowered. Some plants $ ;others $.Independently of itswell-known stinging properties, which indicate the presence of a virulentpoisonous principle, a decoction strongly salted, will coagulate milkwithout giving itany unpleasant flavour ;the whole plant is esteemedastringent and diuretic. Burnett.608. U. heterophylla Willd. sp. pi.iv. 362. Eoxb. fi.ind.586. (Rheede ii. t. 41.) Mountains of Malabar.iii.An annual. Stem erect, angular, with small white specks,in whichare inserted strong stiff acute rigid bristles, pointing in every direction.Leaves alternate, long-stalked, cordate, lobed, towards the top of theplant almost palmate, all coarsely serrate, armed with the same bristlesas the stem and branches, and some harsh pubescence besides ;from4 to 8 inches long, and nearly as broad ; petioles about half the lengthof the leaves, channelled and armed j stipules large, cordate, ending in1 or 2 acute points. Peduncles axillary, the lower supporting the maleflowers;those towards the apex of the plant, the female ones, in large295 u 4