Thread: Urtica ferox / ongaonga /tree nettle

Spotted this on a walk in Newlands, Wellington, (Seton-Noissiter Park) this morning... I think it's ongaonga. Can anyone confirm? I was lucky - wearing shorts and these lil' bastards were at about knee height. I know the look of them and didn't fall victim to their poison. Just a reminder to keep those eyes peeled!

Sure is.

Yeah it is. Plenty of it around here.

Aka bastard stuff

According to Which native forest plant by Andrew Crowe. Thes lightest touch knocks the tip of the needle, leaving a slanting point which drives into the skin then the elastic barrel at the base of the needle shrinks pumping venom into victim. Went orienteering soon after arriving in NZ to hawkes Bay and at the briefing they had one in a plantpot, we were told thats what it looks like and dont come to us if you run through it, you have been warned. Be carefull if you have dogs to, as it has killed dogs and at least 1 tramper

Yep it sure is. Let the local council know it is there. A you wouldn’t want a young child getting in amongst that stuff.

roundup sorts it out....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

roundup sorts it out....

It'll singe it but wont kill it MD. You need Agritone or the old name MCPA for all nettle types.

I got a good dose in the face last week, interesting stuff. Around here it grow everywhere, but almost always in association with kawakawa. Once you get a sting all you need to do is mash up some kawakawa leaves and rub it on to the sting site, takes away about 3/4 of the pain almost instantly. Even without the kawakawa you usually can't feel the remnant of the sting for more than a couple of days, depending on how much you get.

It makes you pay more attention to your surroundings that's for sure.

Yes it is. Hate that shit. Ive been blasted 3 tines on the leg with it due to being a spaz while creek bashing. Last time i had to take tramadol to sleep through it. I may have ti visit nossiter park next weekend. Im done with mt kaukau and the ridge line track between churton park and tawa.

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I hear ya! I'm over the lock-down bubble. If you do go along the stream in the SN valley floor, make sure to wear longs!

It’s got more sting at different times of the year , can’t remember which season now but I have seen red deer eating the stuff in the Ureweras ,must give there tongue a buzz still

Has anyone tried rubbing vinegar on the skin?
Also, I always carry antihistamine in my pack in case dog gets a dose.

One of the reasons I dislike hunting in shorts, the others are blackberry and hookgrass