Species library · Plants & herbs

Spurge Nettle: poisonous

Cnidoscolus stimulosus

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Spurge Nettle is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from June to September in the northern hemisphere. Found in Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows.

☠ Poisonous
Spurge Nettle (Cnidoscolus stimulosus)

Photo: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · iNaturalist

When Spurge Nettle appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Spurge Nettle is usually found in Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows.

Look up Spurge Nettle in the app

In the Forage app, Spurge Nettle has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Spurge Nettle: common questions

Is Spurge Nettle poisonous?

Yes. Spurge Nettle is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Spurge Nettle appear?

Spurge Nettle usually appears from June to September in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Spurge Nettle grow?

Spurge Nettle is usually found in Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits