Stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, stem TS, stained section, darkfield photomicrograph
Urtica dioica, often called common nettle or stinging nettle (although not all plants of this species sting), is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is the best-known member of the nettle genus Urtica. The species is divided into six subspecies, five of which have many hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on the leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles, injecting histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other animals. The plant has a long history of use as a medicine, as a food source and as a source of fibre.
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Photo credit: © Scenics & Science / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: bundles, darkfield, dioica, dock, histamine, leaf, microscope, nettle, osmosis, pain, photomicrograph, pith, rash, section, stained, stem, stinging, trichomes, ts, urtica, vascular, xylem
