Tag: Urticaceae

Māmaki, a plant revered for centuries in traditional Hawaiian medicine, lacks a single, widely recognized English common name, though it is sometimes referred to as Waimea pipturus. This endemic Hawaiian shrub, scientifically known as *Pipturus albidus*, belongs to the nettle family but does not possess the stinging hairs of its relatives. Its name in 'Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, Māmaki, remains its most common identifier worldwide.

While many plants from the Urticaceae family, like stinging nettle, are traditionally eaten, a common question is: **Can you eat pilea microphylla?**. The short answer for culinary purposes is generally no, although the plant is widely regarded as non-toxic to humans and pets, and has historical uses in folk medicine.