Top in seed. Annala, Helsinki, Finland. Wild. 2004-08-25.

Branch, covered in frost. Annala, Helsinki, Finland. Planted. 2003-10-15.

Young shoots of both stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and white deadnettle (Lamium album). They're difficult to tell apart, but neither is toxic. Annala, Helsinki, Finland. Wild. 2003-10-09.

Young nettles. Annala, Helsinki, Finland. Planted. 2003-05-13.

Young nettles, planted for the gardens' needs of fertilizing nettle water (yech, the smell!). Annala, Helsinki, Finland. Planted. 2003-05-13.

Plants in spring. Korkeasaari, Helsinki, Finland. Wild. 2002-06-24.

Plants in spring. Yum! Korkeasaari, Helsinki, Finland. Wild. 2002-06-24.

Plant in seed. They're ripe now, they're hanging down - get picking! Perheniemi, Finland. Wild. 2001-09-05.

Nettles in seed. MTT Karila research station, Mikkeli, Finland. Planted. 2001-08-13.

Nettles in cultivation, for fiber production. MTT Karila research station, Mikkeli, Finland. Planted. 2001-08-13.

Nettles in cultivation; these are for fiber production, but I got lots of seeds from this stand. MTT Karila research station, Mikkeli, Finland. Planted. 2001-08-13.

Root, on large brown paper bags. Porvoo, Finland. Picked. 1999-10-01.

Fresh leaf, Boiled leaf, and chopped-up boiled leaf. Helsinki, Finland. Processed. 1999-06-01.

Spring growth. They're still too small to pick - you get more faster if you wait until they're 20-30 cm (8-10") tall. Maunula, Helsinki, Finland. Wild. 1999-05-15.

Large stand. Liljendal, Finland. Wild. 1993-06-01.

Top with flowerbuds. Liljendal, Finland. Wild. 1993-06-01.

Plant. Liljendal, Finland. Wild. 1993-06-01.

Plant in flower. This subspecies has next to no itchy hairs. Botanical garden Kaisaniemi, Helsinki, Finland. Planted. 2003-06-24.

Stem and leaf. Note the lack of hairs. Botanical garden Kaisaniemi, Helsinki, Finland. Planted. 2003-06-24.

Flowering tops. Botanical garden Kaisaniemi, Helsinki, Finland. Planted. 2003-06-24.