It is a perennial herb of the nettle family. It is one of the most well-known representatives of the nettle genus.

This plant has a creeping, branching rootstock. The stem is 60-110 cm tall, covered with simple hairs and stinging hairs, especially dense at the nodes. The flowers are small, green, arranged in small clusters, gathered in inflorescences.

Common nettle has stinging hairs on its leaves and stems, which, when in contact with humans or animals, inject histamine and other chemicals into the skin, causing a burning sensation. From the leaves of the common nettle, one can obtain pure chlorophyll without the admixture of other pigments.

The plant is used in medicine and as food. Young shoots of common nettle in spring can be used in diet; the leaves are rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Crushed plants are fed to pigs and poultry. It can be used as fodder. Its fibers are used for making fabric, ropes, nets, and paper. The leaves provide a green color. In folk medicine, nettle is used for rheumatism, diarrhea, and other conditions. Young plants contain up to 700 mg of carotene, 130 mg of vitamin C, along with plenty of protein, potassium, iron, and calcium.

Information sources: Wikipedia