If you know what you're looking for, we're hoping this will keep your gardening adventures a little less itchy, and a whole lot more fun!
"Leaves of three - let them be. Leaves of five, let them thrive!"
The plant is a solid green color with pointed leaves that hang from the stem in groupings of three. It can grow as a vine or a shrub, and it can change appearance through the seasons. Sometimes it has flowers, and other times it changes color to red or yellow in the fall. One good way to recognize it is by the "thumbs." You'll notice that most varieties have a thumb-like ridge on each outside edge of the middle leaf and only one on the outside of the outside leaves.
Stinging NettleSeveral names for this plant are fireweed, heart-leaf nettle, and dwarf nettle. You can identify it by it's weak, erect stems branching from the base. It also has opposite triangular or heart-shaped leaves with toothed margins. There are sharp, stinging, tiny hairs on this plant and when you brush against them those hairs can irritate your skin. There is formic acid at the base of every hollow hair, and that's what causes the irritation.
Making Your Gardening Experience Safer!
At Camdenton Farm & Garden, we love to hear your stories about getting out and enjoying your garden! Whether you plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables, we want to help you get out in your garden as much as possible, and stay safe while doing so. We hope these identifying tips can help you recognize a few plants that could irritate your skin, and keep you outdoors as much as possible. Come out to Camdenton Farm & Garden for all of your gardening supplies at the Lake of the Ozarks, from dirt, seeds, mulch and garden fertilizer at the Lake of the Ozarks, we have it all!