swamp nettle

Urtica perconfusa (swamp nettle) is a monoecious species of herb growing up to 0.45–2.0 metres (1 foot 6 inches – 6 feet 7 inches) in height. It grows in a scrambling or climbing manner. The stinging hairs or trichomes on the stems can be 0.2–0.3 mm long. The petioles are 15–45 mm long. Leaves are 40–100 × 4–10 mm long, with trichomes 0.2–0.5 mm long. The margins are regularly toothed. Flowering occurs year-round, the inflorescences (flower clusters) the plant produces are 3–10 mm long. The fruits are rounded and 1.2–2.0 × 0.8–1.3 mm long.

Urtica perconfusa is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in the North and South Islands. This species is not found further north of the central North Island. The 2023 assessment of U. perconfusa in the New Zealand Threat Classification System was "At Risk – Naturally Uncommon".

Habitat. Urtica perconfusa is typically found on fertile soils in swampy areas, commonly associating with Carex secta.

The etymology (word origin) of U. perconfusa'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), perconfusa, refers to the previous confusion with the taxonomic status. The species is commonly known as 'swamp nettle'.