Hello everyone, I live in Alvin, Texas, which is about 30 miles south of Houston. My neighbor was picking weeds from her flowerbeds and felt her hand start to burn as it turned red. She figured out that it came from the weeds that she was picking, instead of the Caterpillar that was nearby. My Mother saw a small plant from the pickings and rubbed it along the top of her hands, not noticing the small, almost clear thorns all over it. My Mothers hand started to burn as well. Could you help me identify this plant please? I'd like to learn more about it. I'm a Land Surveyor and have come across some interesting plants out in the field, but have never encountered this one before. Thank you for taking the time to assist!
It is a stinging nettle, Urtica dioica. A very common weed in Britain.The antidote for the red rash is to rub the painful part of the skin with a dock leaf, Rumex obtusifolius, or an antihistamine cream. Hope this helps. It grows vigorously in land with a high nitrogen content, eg. where poultry have been.
