DSC_0071 Tree nettle (Urtica ferox) one of New Zealand's most poisonous native plants. Its coarsely toothed leaves have numerous white stinging hairs (trichomes), up to 6 mm long. These are hollow cylinders with tapered points, which break after piercing the skin, injecting toxins into the tissues, giving rise to pain and a rash. Otago Peninsula *
DSC_1210 Southern nettle (Urtica australis) detail of tiny flowers. An endemic giant nettle found at the western end of the South Island, the Chatham Islands, Stewart Island and some subantarctic islands. Enderby Island, Aucklands Group *
DSC_4699 Parataniwha (Elatostema rugosum) belongs to the nettle family, and grows in dark wet places in the forest, such as overhangs behind or beside waterfalls and along stream banks - such places were thought by Maori to be the home of the taniwha, or water monster The name may also refer to its rough leaves, which are like shark skin - sharks too, were considered taniwha or water monsters. Rangitukia Stream, Mt Pirongia *
