Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica) have non-stinging and stinging hairs, the later of which are called trichomes. Trichome tips break off when touched and inject a bunch of chemicals into your skin, which is why we called it seven-minute itch when I was growing up. Some people treat rheumatism by intensionally flogging themselves with the plant to open their capillaries and increase blood-flow. I don't mind this sting, because it goes away, but I hate the unrelated Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense) in that it feels like lingering poisonous pain instead of the brief invigorating pain of Stinging Nettle. Of course, Stinging Nettle is also a nutritious medicine, food, and fiber source from Old World. #stingingnettles #stingingnettleflowers #stingingnettlehairs #urticadioica (at Hattie Carthan Community Farmers' Market)