There is no difference between nettle and stinging nettle. They are the same plant, scientifically known as Urtica dioica. The term "stinging nettle" is used to emphasize the plant's most notable characteristic - its stinging hairs that cause a painful, itchy rash upon contact.
While "nettle" can refer to other plants, in common usage, it primarily signifies the stinging nettle.
Here's a breakdown:
- Stinging nettle: This is the specific name used to emphasize the plant's stinging hairs.
- Nettle: This is a broader term that can refer to other plants, but in most cases, it refers to the stinging nettle.
So, whether you call it nettle or stinging nettle, you're talking about the same plant with its distinctive stinging properties.
