Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Rosales Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Urticaceae
Genus
Urtica L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Urtica australis Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. I. (Fl. Antarct.) Part I, 68 (1844)
Synonymy:
  • = Urtica aucklandica Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. I. (Fl. Antarct.) Part I, 68 (1844)
Vernacular Name(s):
Ongaonga; Southern nettle; Taraonga; Taraongaonga
 Description

Stout, monoecious herb, usually with few short-stalked stinging hairs, otherwise sparsely to densely hairy; branches decumbent and rooting, then erect. Lvs broadly ovate, acute, cordate to truncate at base, coarsely serrate, 10–20 cm long. Stipules 2 per node and 2-fid, or 4 per node and entire. Most racemes unisexual; ♀ racemes above ♂ on stem.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–Jan.

 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Hooker, J.D. 1844–1845: The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror in the Years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. I. Flora Antarctica. Part I. Botany of Lord Auckland’s Group and Campbell’s Island. Reeve, Brothers, London.