Nettle grows all over Australia, preferring partially shady spots with fertile soils. The Australian native nettle, Urtica incisa (scrub nettle), is an upright perennial found in streams and rainforests. You can find other introduced varieties everywhere, such as the annuals Urtica urens (dwarf nettle) and Urtica dioica (common nettle).
Although considered a weed to most, it is actually a cultivated crop and has been highly valued since ancient times as a vegetable, fibre and remedy, along with dandelion and dock. Once you’ve encountered nettle, you’ll never forget it.