Small Spike False Nettle

Our Experience

This unassuming, non-descript leafy plant does not cause any skin irritation like its counterpart Stinging Nettle. Three different species of Brushfoot butterfly use this as a host plant: the Question Mark, Eastern Comma, and Red Admiral.

In our habitat we’ve had our false nettle used by the Question Mark and Red Admiral to raise their young. The Question Mark caterpillar like to hide out at the base of the plant while the Red Admiral caterpillar will make leaf tents by stitching together groups of leaves with its silk.