A seedling (about 3 in./8 cm) of stinging nettle.
Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, bears on its leaves and stems a haze of tiny hair-like trichomes which act like hypodermic needles to inject histamines into the skin of humans and animals that touch it, producing a stinging sensation. It has for centuries been used as a medicinal plant and a food source.
Stinging nettle can grow up to 3 to 7 ft. tall (1 to 2 m) in summer, and dies back in winter. It grows in shady, damp areas -- it seems to come up more quickly here after a period of rain -- and spreads through rhizomes
The sting doesn't seem to be as intense when the plant is still small, so pull it up early if you can; otherwise, be sure to wear gloves!
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