Urtica
/ˈɜːr.tɪ.kə/noun
A genus of flowering plants known commonly as nettles.
Did you know?In ancient herbalism, urtica was used not just for its medicinal properties but also believed to ward off evil spirits when hung in doorways.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ner-
“to be moist or to drip, connecting to the plant's sting.”
Latin
Latin
urtica
“nettle, a plant known for its stinging hairs.”
Old French
Old French
urtique
“the nettle, emphasizing its presence in medieval herbal texts.”
Modern English
English
urtica
“retained as the scientific name for nettles in botanical taxonomy.”
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