The Urticaceae are a family, the nettle family, of flowering plants. The family name comes from the genus '' Urtica''. The Urticaceae include a number of well-known and useful plants, including nettles in the genus ''Urtica'', ramie (''Boehmeria nivea''), māmaki ('' Pipturus albidus''), and ajlai ('' Debregeasia saeneb''). The family includes about 2,625 species, grouped into 53 genera according to the database of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Christenhusz and Byng (2016). The largest genera are '' Pilea'' (500 to 715 species), '' Elatostema'' (300 species), '' Urtica'' (80 species), and '' Cecropia'' (75 species). '' Cecropia'' contains many myrmecophytes. Urticaceae species can be found worldwide, apart from the polar regions.

Description

Urticaceae species can be shrubs (e.g. '' Pilea''), lianas, herbs (e.g. '' Urtica'', '' Parietaria''), or, rarely, trees ('' Dendrocnide'', '' Cecropia''). Their

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

are usually entire and bear stipules. Urticating (stinging) hairs are often present. They have usually unisexual flowers and can be both

monoecious Monoecy (; adj. monoecious ) is a sexual system in seed plants where separate male and female cones or flowers are present on the same plant. It is a monomorphic sexual system alongside gynomonoecy, andromonoecy and trimonoecy. Monoecy is conne ...

dioecious Dioecy (; ; adj. dioecious , ) is a characteristic of a species, meaning that it has distinct individual organisms (unisexual) that produce male or female gametes, either directly (in animals) or indirectly (in seed plants). Dioecious reproductio ...

. They are wind-pollinated. Most disperse their

pollen Pollen is a powdery substance produced by seed plants. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen grains have a hard coat made of sporopollenin that protects the gametophyt ...

when the

stamen The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filame ...

s are mature and their filaments straighten explosively, a peculiar and conspicuously specialised mechanism.

Taxonomy

The APG II system puts the Urticaceae in the order Rosales, while older systems consider them part of the Urticales, along with Ulmaceae, Moraceae, and Cannabaceae. APG still considers "old" Urticales a monophyletic group, but does not recognise it as an order on its own.

Fossil record

The fossil record of Urticaceae is scattered and mostly based on dispersed fruits. Twelve species based on fossil

achene An achene (; ), also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp, is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate (formed from one carpel) and indehiscent (they do not ope ...

s are known from the Late Cretaceous of Central Europe. Most were assigned to the extant genera '' Boehmeria'' (three species), '' Debregeasia'' (one species) and ''

Pouzolzia ''Pouzolzia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the Urticaceae, nettle family. There are about 35 species distributed throughout the tropical world. Most are shrubs, and some are herbs. The genus was named for French botanist and plant collector ...

'' (three species), while three species were assigned to the

extinct Extinction is the termination of a kind of organism or of a group of kinds (taxon), usually a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and ...

genus ''Urticoidea''. A Colombian fossil flora of the Maastrichtian stage has yielded leaves that resemble leaves of the tribe Ceropieae. In the

Cenozoic The Cenozoic ( ; ) is Earth's current geological era, representing the last 66million years of Earth's history. It is characterised by the dominance of mammals, birds and flowering plants, a cooling and drying climate, and the current configura ...

fossil leaves from the Ypresian Allenby Formation preserve distinct trichomes, and have been attributed to the Tribe Urticeae in the fossil record. The leaves had originally been identified as '' Rubus'' by earlier workers on the Eocene Okanagan Highlands, but Devore ''et al'' (2020) interpreted the preserved hairs along the stem and major veins as stinging trichomes, rather than simple hairs or thorns.

Phylogeny

Modern molecular phylogenetics suggest the following relationships (see also ):

Tribes and genera

* Boehmerieae Gaudich. 1830 **''

Archiboehmeria ''Archiboehmeria'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. Its native range is Southeastern China to Northern Vietnam. Species: *'' Archiboehmeria atrata'' References {{Taxonbar, from=Q9297999 Urticaceae Urt ...

'' C.J. Chen 1980 (1 sp.) **''

Astrothalamus ''Astrothalamus'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. Its native range is Northern Borneo to Philippines. Species: *'' Astrothalamus reticulatus'' References {{Taxonbar, from=Q8207613 Urticaceae Urticac ...

'' C.B. Rob. 1911 (1 sp.) **'' Boehmeria'' Jacq. 1760 (80 spp.) **''

Chamabainia ''Chamabainia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. Its native range is Tropical and Subtropical Asia. Species: * ''Chamabainia cuspidata'' Wight References {{Taxonbar, from=Q8344656 Urticaceae Urticaceae ...

'' Wight 1853 (1–2 spp.) **''

Cypholophus ''Cypholophus'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. Its native range is Malesia to Southern Pacific. Species: *'' Cypholophus anisoneurus'' *'' Cypholophus brunneolus'' *'' Cypholophus caeruleus'' *'' Cyph ...

'' Wedd. 1854 (15 spp.) **'' Debregeasia'' Gaudich. 1844 (4 spp.) **'' Gibbsia'' Rendle 1917 (2 spp.) **''

Gonostegia ''Gonostegia'' is a genus of flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel ...

'' Turcz. 1846 (5 spp.) **'' Hemistylus'' Benth. 1843 (4 spp.) **''

Neodistemon ''Neodistemon'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. The only species is ''Neodistemon indicus''. Its native range is Indian subcontinent to Indo-China. References {{Taxonbar, from1=Q9049367, from2= ...

'' Babu & A. N. Henry 1970 (1 sp.) **''

Neraudia ''Neraudia'' is a genus of plants in family Urticaceae. All five species are endemic to Hawaii.Nothocnide ''Nothocnide'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. Its native range is Malesia to the Southwestern Pacific. Species Species: *'' Nothocnide discolor'' *'' Nothocnide melastomatifolia'' *'' Nothocnide molliss ...

'' Blume 1856 (4 spp.) **''

Oreocnide ''Oreocnide'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae The Urticaceae are a family, the nettle family, of flowering plants. The family name comes from the genus ''Urtica''. The Urticaceae include a number of well-know ...

'' Miq. 1851 (15 spp.) **'' Phenax'' Wedd. 1854 (12 spp.) **'' Pipturus'' Wedd. 1854 (30 spp.) **''

'' Gaudich. 1826 830/small> (70 spp.) **'' Rousselia'' Gaudich. 1826 830/small> (3 spp.) **''

Sarcochlamys ''Sarcochlamys'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. The only species is ''Sarcochlamys pulcherrima''. It is a dioecious Dioecy (; ; adj. dioecious , ) is a characteristic of a species, meaning that ...

'' Gaudich. 1844 (1 sp.) * Cecropieae Gaudich. 1830 **'' Cecropia'' Loefl. 1758 (70–80 spp.) **'' Coussapoa'' Aubl. 1775 (>50 spp.) **''

Leucosyke ''Leucosyke'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. Its native range is Tropical and Subtropical Asia to Southern Pacific. Species: *''Leucosyke arcuatovenosa'' *''Leucosyke aspera'' *''Leucosyke benguetensis'' * ...

'' Zoll. & Moritzi 1845 (35 spp.) **'' Maoutia'' Wedd. 1854 (15 spp.) **'' Musanga'' R. Br. in Tuckey 1818 (2 spp.) **''

Myrianthus ''Myrianthus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the nettle family ( Urticaceae). They are mainly found in Tropical Africa. They are mostly tropical trees, shrubs, or lianas. Leaves are simple and pinnately veined or with a palmate structure. It ...

'' P. Beauv. 1804 805/small> (7 spp.) **''

Pourouma ''Pourouma'' is a genus of at least 20–25 species of flowering plants in the family Urticaceae, or alternately, the Cecropiaceae, native to tropical regions of Central and South America.Germplasm Resources Information Network''Pourouma''/ref>H ...

'' Aubl. 1775 (>50 spp.) * Elatostemateae Gaudich. 1830 **''

Aboriella ''Achudemia'' is a genus of plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. It is sometimes also treated as a section of the genus '' Pilea''.

'' Bennet (1 sp.) **'' Achudemia'' Blume 1856 **'' Elatostema'' J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. 1775 (300 spp.) **'' Gyrotaenia'' Griseb. 1861 (4 spp.) **''

Lecanthus ''Lecanthus'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. Its native range is Tropical Africa, Tropical and Subtropical Asia to Southwestern Pacific. Species: *'' Lecanthus peduncularis'' *'' Lecanthus petelotii'' *'' ...

'' Wedd. 1854 (1 sp.) **'' Meniscogyne'' Gagnep. 1928 (2 spp.) **''

Myriocarpa ''Myriocarpa'' is a genus woody plant which ranges in size from shrubs to small trees and is Endemism, endemic to Central America, Central and South America. Within the Urticaceae, ''Myriocarpa'' is characterized by long pendulous string-like fe ...

'' Benth. 1844 846/small> (18 spp.) **''

Pellionia ''Pellionia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Urticaceae. The flowers of Pellionia are white globules held on stalks above the plant, which respond to changes in temperature by releasing their pollen as little puffs of smoke. Ref ...

'' Gaudich. 1826 (60 spp.) **'' Petelotiella'' Gagnep. in Lecomte 1929 (1 spp.) **'' Pilea'' Lindl. 1821 (250 spp.) **'' Procris'' Comm. ex Juss. 1789 (20 spp.) **'' Sarcopilea'' Urb. 1912 (1 sp.) * Forsskaoleeae Gaudich. 1830 **'' Australina'' Gaudich. 1830 (2 spp.) **''

Didymodoxa ''Didymodoxa'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. Its native range is Eritrea to Southern Africa. Species: *''Didymodoxa caffra ''Didymodoxa'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae ...

'' E. Mey. ex Wedd. 1857 (2 spp.) **''

Droguetia ''Droguetia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. Its wide native range is Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and China. Its genus name of ''Droguetia'' is in honour of Marc Julien Droguet (1769–1836), French nava ...

'' Gaudich. 1830 (7 spp.) **'' Forsskaolea'' L. 1764 (6 spp.) * Parietarieae Gaudich. 1830 **''

Gesnouinia ''Gesnouinia'' is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Urticaceae (the nettle family). Two species are accepted by The Plant List :Search for "Gesnouinia", * '' Gesnouinia arborea'' (L.f.) Gaudich. * ''Gesnouinia filamentosa'' Wedd. ...

'' Gaudich. 1830 (2 spp.) **'' Parietaria'' L. 1753 (20 spp.) **''

Soleirolia ''Soleirolia soleirolii'' (, syn. ''Helxine soleirolii'') is a plant in the Urticaceae, nettle family. It has a number of common names, including baby's tears, angel's tears, peace in the home, bits and pieces, bread and cheese, Corsican creeper ...

'' Gaudich. 1830 (1 sp.) * Urticeae Lamarck & DC. 1806 **'' Dendrocnide'' Miq. 1851 (27 spp.) **''

Discocnide ''Discocnide'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. The only species is ''Discocnide mexicana''. Its native range is Mexico to Central America. References {{Taxonbar, from1=Q8560335, from2=Q15613057 ...

'' Chew 1965 (1 sp.) **'' Girardinia'' Gaudich. 1830 (2 spp.) **'' Hesperocnide'' Torr. 1857 (2 spp.) **'' Laportea'' Gaudich. 1826 830/small> (21 spp.) **''

Nanocnide ''Nanocnide'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. Its native range is Central and Southern China to Vietnam, Temperate Eastern Asia. Species: *''Nanocnide japonica'' *''Nanocnide lobata'' *''Nanocnide zhejiange ...

'' Blume 1856 (2 spp.) **'' Obetia'' Gaudich. 1844 (7 spp.) **''

Poikilospermum ''Poikilospermum'' is a genus of shrubs or tall woody climbers, consisting of at least 33 accepted species. The plants are found from India and China (Yunnan), the Sino-Himalayan region to Sulawesi and Jawa in Indonesia. Some of the plants are u ...

'' Zipp. ex Miq. 1864 (20 spp.) **''

Touchardia ''Touchardia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the nettle family, Urticaceae. It is monotypic containing a single species, ''Touchardia latifolia'', commonly known as olonā in Hawaiian. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Etymology ...

'' Gaudich. 1847 (1–2 spp.) **'' Urera'' Gaudich. 1826 830/small> (35 spp.) **'' Urtica'' L. 1753—nettle (80 spp.) **''

Zhengyia ''Zhengyia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. Its native range is Southern Central China. Species: * '' Zhengyia shennongensis'' T.Deng, D.G.Zhang & H.Sun References {{Taxonbar, from=Q21293619 Urticacea ...

'' T. Deng, D.G. Zhang & H. Sun 2013 (1 sp.) *'' Incertae sedis'' **''

Metatrophis ''Metatrophis'' is a genus of plant in the nettle family, Urticaceae. Its only species is ''Metatrophis margaretae'', Endemism, endemic to the Austral Islands, Tubuai Islands. References Urticaceae Urticaceae genera Monotypic Rosales genera ...

'' F. Br. 1935 (1 sp.) **''

Parsana ''Parsana'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Urticaceae. It just contains one species, ''Parsana malekiana'' Parsa & Maleki It is native to Iran. The genus name of ''Parsana'' is in honour of Ahmad Parsa (19 ...

'' Parsa & Maleki 1952 (1 sp.)

Diseases

The Urticaceae are subject to many bacterial, viral, fungal, and nematode parasitic diseases. Among them are: * Bacterial leaf spot, caused by '' Xanthomonas campestris'' which affects ''

'', '' Pilea'', and other genera * Anthracnose, a fungal disease caused by '' Colletotrichum capsici'' which affects ''Pilea'' * Myrothecium leaf spot, a fungal disease caused by '' Myrothecium roridum'' which affects plants throughout the Urticaceae, as well as other angiosperms * Phytophthora blight, a water mold disease caused by '' Phytophthora nicotianae'' which affects ''Pilea'' * Southern blight, a fungal disease caused by ''

Athelia rolfsii ''Athelia rolfsii'' is a corticioid fungus in the family Atheliaceae. It is a facultative plant pathogen and is the causal agent of "southern blight" disease in crops. Taxonomy The species was first described in 1911 by Italian mycologist Pier ...

'' which affects both ''Pellionia'' and ''Pilea''

Image gallery

Image:PileaCadierei.jpg, ''Pilea cadierei'' Image:Pilea pumila2.JPG, ''Pilea pumila'' Image:Poisonivy1.jpg, ''Dendrocnide'' sp. Image:Elatostema umbellatum 2006.04.19 06.17.14-p4190208.jpg, ''Elatostema umbellatum'' Image:Brennnessel 1.JPG, ''Urtica dioica'' Image:Boehmeria nivea 1.jpg, ''Boehmeria nivea'' Image:Parietaria judaica 000.jpg, ''Parietaria judaica'' flowers Image:Nettle.jpg, ''Urtica dioica'' stinging hairs File:咬人狗 Dendrocnide meyeniana 20221020185903 03.jpg, Leaves of ''

Dendrocnide meyeniana ''Dendrocnide meyeniana'' or the poisonous wood nettle is a species of tree in the family Urticaceae, native to the thickets and secondary forests of Taiwan and the Philippines. The specific epithet ''meyeniana'' comes from Meiyuan/眉原, a pl ...

'' File:蕁麻(咬人貓) Urtica thunbergiana 20220406201651.jpg, The dotted bumps on the leaves of ''

Urtica thunbergiana ''Urtica thunbergiana'', also known as the Japanese nettle or hairy nettle, is a species of perennial herbs in the family Urticaceae. It is found in Japan, China and Taiwan. The habitat of the species is moist forests in the mountains. It is in ...

References

External links

* continuously updated. {{Taxonbar, from=Q156332 Rosid families