Urtica ferox

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Urtica ferox
Urtica ferox leaves and spines
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Urticaceae Genus: Urtica Species: U. ferox
Binomial name
Urtica ferox

Urtica ferox, commonly known as Ongaonga, is a nettle that is endemic to New Zealand. Sometimes known as the 'tree nettle', ongaonga has woody stems and unusually large stinging spines, and can grow 5 metres tall. Even the lightest touch can result in a painful sting that lasts several days.

In Maori folklore, Kupe was said to have placed several obstacles to hinder pursuers whose wives he had stolen, one of which was the ongaonga.

Ongaonga is the main food plant for larvae of the New Zealand red admiral butterfly or Kahukura, Bassaris gonerilla.

There has been one recorded human death from contact—a lightly clad hunter who died five hours after walking through a dense patch.^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• Connor, H. E. [1952] (1977). Poisonous Plants in New Zealand (DSIR Research Bulletin 99), 2nd edition, Wellington: Government Printer. ISBN 0-477-01007. 
• Crowe, Andrew (1999-09-07). Which Native Forest Plant?. New Zealand: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-028631-4. 
• Hutching, Gerald (1998). The Natural World of New Zealand. New Zealand: Viking (Penguin). ISBN 0-670-87782-4.