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Nettle family
Urticaceae
イラクサ科
A family of about 54 genera and 2,600 species including Urtica, Boehmeria, and Laportea, distributed worldwide. Many species bear stinging hairs containing formic acid. Boehmeria nivea (ramie) has been used since antiquity as a fiber crop and is a raw material for traditional Japanese textiles.
Key Characteristics
- ●Many species bear stinging hairs (hollow trichomes containing formic acid and histamine)
- ●Flowers unisexual, very small, apetalous
- ●Some species have explosive pollen release mechanisms for wind pollination
- ●Leaves opposite or alternate, serrate
- ●Predominantly herbs or shrubs
Morphological Traits
A family may include species with different trait values — multiple values indicate the range within the family.
Leaf arrangement
Alternate / Opposite
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate / Palmate
Leaf margin
Serrate / Dentate / Entire
Growth form
Shrub / Tree / Vine / Herb
Evergreen/Deciduous
Deciduous
Leaf dissection
Dissected / Undivided
Stipules
Present / Absent
Latex
Present / Absent
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Petal count
3 petals
Petal fusion
Free
Ovary position
Superior / Half-inferior
Stamen count
1-2 / 3-4 / 5
Plant sex
Dioecious / Monoecious
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Rosids > Rosales > Urticaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (approx. 50 million years ago)
Representative Genera
Related Evolution Events
- ・Evolution of stinging trichomes as a herbivore defense mechanism
- ・Evolution of explosive pollen catapulting mechanisms (adaptation to wind pollination)
Plants in Nettle family on this site
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