Stinging Nettle
The name of this plant is not exactly appealing. If it sounds like something that causes irritation, you’re not wrong. The little spikes (aka nettles) on these plants can create a rash-like reaction on human skin. There is a variety that is native to the U.S. while the invasive variety is originally from Europe, according to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. They’re hard to distinguish, but it’s best to avoid touching either without proper protection.
All parts of this plant are edible with the right preparation. The young leaves can be cooked and eaten. It’s used in soup recipes all over the world for added nutritional value. The shoots of the young, smaller nettle plants can also be eaten as you would other green veggies.
