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Canada Wood-nettle

Laportea canadensis

Found in forests and woodlands; seeps and springs; swamps; rich cove forests; floodplain and bottomland forests. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

30
Good

Native to West Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 94%

Height
2–4 feet
Spread
1–3 feet
Light
Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Usually moist

Space about 2 ft apart from its recorded spread, about 25 per 100 sq ft. Enter your bed size for a count

Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
May to August
Fruiting season
Late July to October

Not yet recorded · Leaves

Recorded in 15 West Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 5

Forests and woodlands

Forest or woodland where the source does not say how moist or dry.

Seeps and springs

Places where groundwater keeps the soil or rock wet, such as seepage slopes and spring runs.

Swamps

Forested wetlands with standing water much of the year, such as cypress and gum swamps.

Rich cove forests

Sheltered, moist mountain hollows and lower slopes with deep, fertile soil.

Floodplain and bottomland forests

Forests on low ground beside rivers and streams that flood from time to time.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in West Virginia. Shared habitat, not food. 152 animals.

All wildlife of West Virginia

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

8CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV

Genus host records with ranges including WV · Laportea

  • Vanessa atalantaRed Admiral
  • Abrostola ovalisWhite-Shouldered Nettle Moth
  • Eupsilia vinulentaStraight-Toothed Sallow
  • Hypena edictalisLarge Bomolocha, Large Snout
  • Hypena humuliHop Snout Moth, Hop Vine Snout, Hop Looper
  • Hypena sordidulaSordid Bomolocha, Sordid Snout
  • Nymphalis milbertiMilbert's Tortoise Shell, Fire-Rim Tortoise Shell
  • Polygonia commaEastern Comma
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Urticaceae
Flower color
Green or white
Fruit begins
Late July
Fruit ends
October

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Canada Wood nettle; Canadian Wood Nettle; Wood Nettle

Conservation status

West Virginia rankS5
Global rankG5
WV statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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How to check your spot

Sources