Nettle family facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nettle family |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Urtica dioica (Stinging nettle) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Division: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: |
Urticaceae
Juss., 1789
|
| Subfamilies | |
|
See text |
|
The Urticaceae family is a group of plants often called the nettle family. It includes about 45 different types of plants. These can be herbs, shrubs, small trees, and even some climbing vines. You can find most of these plants in warm, tropical parts of the world. They are a typical part of the plant order called Rosales.
What are Nettle Plants Like?
Many plants in the nettle family have special stinging hairs. You might know these from common nettle plants. Australian nettle trees (Laportea) also have them. These tiny hairs can cause a little sting if you touch them!
The leaves of these plants come in many different shapes. The sap inside the plants is usually watery.
Flowers of the Nettle Family
The flowers of nettle plants are usually small and greenish. They often grow in small groups where the leaves meet the stem.
Some plants have both male and female flowers on the same plant. Other plants have male flowers on one plant and female flowers on a different plant.
When the male flowers open, their curled parts (called stamens) quickly straighten. This action helps to release the pollen into the air.
Images for kids
-
Male and female flower of Urtica
-
Pilea cadierei
-
Pilea pumila
-
Dendrocnide sp.
-
Elatostema umbellatum
-
Urtica dioica
-
Boehmeria nivea
-
Parietaria judaica flowers
-
Urtica dioica stinging hairs
See also
In Spanish: Urticaceae para niños
