Scientific Name
Cnidoscolus stimulosus
Common Name
Spurge nettle

SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

Characteristics

Family
Euphorbiaceae
Plant Description
Perennial herb covered with stinging hairs; leaves alternate, simple, palmately 3-5 lobed; flowers white, tubular, 5-parted; fruit a 3-seeded capsule.
Origin
USA, NC.
Distribution
Coastal Plain and outer Piedmont.
Where Found
Forest or natural areas in sandy woods; weedy in disturbed areas along roadsides and old fields.
Mode
Dermatitis.
Poisonous Part
Stinging hairs on leaves & stems.
Symptoms
Severe stinging of the skin lasting no longer than one hour.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Tubers. Gather by digging from the side and without touching tops. SOURCE: Peterson, L. 1978. A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 330 pp.
Toxic Principle
Unidentified.
Severity
SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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