Heartleaf Nettle

Herbs , annual, with taproot, 1.5-8 dm. Stems usually branched from base, erect or reclining. Leaf blades narrowly ovate to orbiculate, distal blades sometimes lanceolate, 2-8 × 1-6 cm, base nearly cordate to rounded, sometimes cuneate in distal leaves, margins serrate, apex rounded to acute; cystoliths rounded or ± elongate. Inflorescences ± globose cymes. Flowers unisexual, staminate and pistillate intermixed in same inflorescence, sessile to short-pedunculate. Pistillate flowers: outer tepals linear, 0.4-0.8 mm, inner tepals ovate, 1.4-2 × 1-1.4 mm. Achenes ovoid to broadly ellipsoid, 1.2-1.4(-1.6) × 0.8-1 mm. 2 n = 26.

Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., Ill., Kans., Ky., La., Miss., Mo., N.C., Ohio, Okla., S.C., Tenn., Tex.; n Mexico.

Flowering all year except early winter.

Rich, wooded slopes, bluffs, stream banks, swamps, waste places, and fields, often on limestone or nearly neutral soils; 0-600m.

Urtica chamaedryoides var. runyonii Correll

Urtica chamaedryoides (commonly called heartleaf nettle) is a species of flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. It is native to the Southeastern United States and northern Mexico, where it is often found in wooded areas that are rich and moist. In some areas of Florida, it has become a lawn and pasture weed.

Like other nettles, Urtica chamaedryoides produces stinging hairs that cause an insect-venom like sting when touched. It produces small green flowers that are wind pollinated.