Sykes's bush nettle

Urtica sykesii is a monoecious species of perennial herb reaching 0.15–0.60 metres (5.9 inches – 1 foot 11.6 inches) in height. It grows in an erect manner. The stinging hairs or trichomes on the stems are 0.2–0.3 mm long. The petioles are 30–70 mm. Leaves are 20–60 × 20–50 mm long. The margins are regularly dentated. Flowering occurs year-round, the inflorescences (flower clusters) the plant produces are 10–20 mm long. The fruits are rounded and 1.3–1.5 mm long.

Urtica sykesii is native to Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, the species is restricted to Victoria. In New Zealand, it is found in the North and South Islands. The 2023 assessment of U. sykesii in the New Zealand Threat Classification System was "Not Threatened".

Habitat. Urtica sykesii is typically found growing on moist soils between rocks between 0–560 metres (0–1,837 feet) above sea level.

The etymology (word origin) of U. sykesii's genus name, Urtica, is derived from the Latin word for stinging nettles, which comes from urere, meaning to burn. The specific epithet (second part of the scientific name), sykesii, is named in honour of the New Zealand botanist William Russell Sykes. The species is commonly known as 'native nettle' and 'bush nettle.