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Cnidoscolus texanus

Texas bull nettle

Euphorbiaceae

South-central United States and northern Mexico

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Cnidoscolus texanus is a clump-forming perennial herb in the spurge family, growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and wide from a deep, fleshy taproot. The entire plant, including stems, leaves, and flower stalks, is covered in stiff stinging hairs that release an irritating fluid on contact and cause a burning skin reaction. Leaves are deeply 3- to 5-lobed, 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) wide, dark green and coarsely toothed. From spring into summer the plant carries clusters of fragrant white, five-lobed flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across; these are male and female flowers grouped together, with the white parts being sepals rather than true petals. The flowers are followed by spiny three-chambered capsules that split open to release large seeds, which are edible once the stinging covering is removed and taste close to Brazil nuts. The plant grows in deep sand and disturbed open ground across the south-central United States and tolerates extreme heat and drought through its long taproot. Its stinging hairs make it a hazard in pastures and gardens, and the deep root makes established plants hard to pull by hand.

Native Range

Native to the south-central United States, including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, and adjacent states, with a range extending into northern Mexico. It grows in deep sandy soils of prairies, open woodland, roadsides, and disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Grown occasionally in native plant and xeriscape gardens for its white flowers and drought tolerance, typically positioned apart from paths and seating because of the stinging hairs. It also stabilizes loose sandy soil in hot, exposed sites.

How to Identify

Identified by deeply 3- to 5-lobed dark green leaves and a dense covering of stiff stinging hairs on every above-ground part. Clusters of white, five-lobed flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across appear at the stem tips, opening from spring through summer. The pairing of stinging hairs, white flowers, and a milky spurge-family sap separates it from true nettles, which have smaller greenish flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers from March through September across its range, with heaviest bloom in late spring and early summer. Individual flower clusters open over several weeks, and the white sepals are fragrant. Spiny seed capsules follow and ripen through summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Cnidoscolus texanus grows in full sun and sharply drained sandy or gravelly soil, matching the hot, dry conditions of its native prairies. It is drought tolerant once the deep taproot forms and needs no supplemental water in most settings. Overly rich or wet soil shortens its life and can rot the root. Seed is the usual means of propagation, though germination is slow and the taproot makes moving established plants impractical. All parts carry stinging hairs that cause a painful skin reaction lasting from minutes to hours. The plant needs no fertilizing and little attention once established.

Pruning

Routine pruning is not needed. Spent flower stalks and seed capsules can be removed to limit self-seeding, though the stinging hairs complicate handling. The plant regrows each year from its perennial taproot regardless of cutting.