Urtica massaica

Mildbr. ex Peter

Maasai stinging nettle

Urticaceae Edible: Leaves, Vegetable Potential hazards — see below 50 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Urtica massaica is a species of flowering plant in the nettle family Urticaceae, referred to in English as the Maasai stinging nettle or forest nettle. It is native to Africa, where it can be found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania; it is found in natural glades and clearings, frequently near houses. This plant is a rhizomatous perennial herb up to 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) tall. It is covered in stinging hairs. The heart-shaped leaves are up to 13 centimetres (5.1 in) long by 10.5 centimetres (4.1 in) wide and have serrated edges. The plant is dioecious. The flowers are borne in panicles. This plant is used for food and medicine in several African nations. It is used in Rwanda to treat diarrhea. The Maasai use it to treat stomach ache. They are used in Kenya to treat malaria. Other medicinal uses include treatment of fractures and venereal diseases. The plant is also used to repel rats and to keep cattle out of crops. Gorillas eat the plant.

Description

It is a stinging nettle. It is like Urtica simensis but is more robust and has double teeth around the edges of the leaves. It is a herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 2 m high. The stinging hairs are 2 mm long. The leaf stalks are 4.5 cm long. The leaf blades are 7-13 cm long by 6-11 cm wide. There are double teeth along the edge. The flowers are of one sex. The fruit is oval, flattened and dry. It is 1 mm long.

Edible Uses

The young leaves are wilted and boiled, then eaten as a vegetable and used as a minor local vegetable in some regions.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are wilted, boiled and eaten as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

A decoction of the roots is used as a remedy for stomach-ache. The leaves are used to treat malaria. The macerated roots and leaves are used for the treatment of hepatic diseases. The plant is used alone, and also in mixtures with other species, to treat numerous ailments, including bruises, injuries, fractures, venereal diseases, rheumatism and urethral leak.

Known Hazards

It has 2 mm-long stinging hairs and can become a serious weed problem.

Distribution

A tropical plant. In Kenya it grows in moist bushland between 1,500-3,250 m altitude. It grows in loose soils with plenty of organic matter.

Where It Grows

Africa, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or sections of rhizomes. Old plants can be cut back to stimulate new leaves.

Propagation

Seed - Division of the rhizomes.

Other Uses

The leaves are used as a repellent against rats and for the protection of crops from grazing cattle.

Production

Leaves are harvested with gloves to protect the hands. They are collected during the rainy season.

Other Information

It is fairly commonly used in some places. It is a minor local vegetable.

Notes

Caution: It can be a serious weed problem.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Leaves	80.5	—	—	5.8	—	138.6	—	—

Also Known As

Ekicuraganyi, Endamejoi, Entameijoi, Ilmbasa, Ivasha, Ivava, Mpupu, Olnyai, Orugenyi, Siweek, Tufia

References (17)

Agea, J. G., et al 2011, Wild and Semi-wild Food Plants of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom of Uganda: etc. Environmental Research Journal 5(2) 74-86
Bosch, C.H., 2004. Urtica simensis Hochst. ex A.Rich. [Internet] Record from Protabase. Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa), Wageningen, Netherlands. < http://database.prota.org/search.htm>. Accessed 23 October 2009
East African Herbarium records, 1981,
Glover, et al, 1966b,
Godfrey, J. et al, 2013, Harvesting, preparation and preservation of commonly consumed wild and semi-wild food plants in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda. Int. J. Med. Arom. Plants. Vol.3 No.2 pp 262-282

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