Ongaonga
| Ongaonga | ||||||||||||
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Ongaonga ( Urtica ferox ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Urtica ferox | ||||||||||||
| G. Forest. |
The Ongaonga ( Urtica ferox ) is a species of nettle ( Urtica ). The plant is endemic to New Zealand .
features
The Urtica ferox is also known as nettle tree known. It is a woody plant ( subshrub ) that is usually one to two meters high, rarely even three meters. The stems and leaves are covered with white stinging hairs . They stand in rows on the leaves. As with other nettles, the fuel liquid consists mainly of formic acid , as well as 5-hydroxytryptamine , histamine , acetylcholine and triffydine, but also other, partly still unknown substances.
The number of chromosomes is 2n = 48.
Occurrence
The species is endemic to New Zealand. It grows in the forest areas of the coastal areas and lowlands on both main islands. The main occurrences are on the edge of bushes, but also in the interior of the forest. It does not grow on pastures. It is believed that the plants are eaten by cattle when they are young.
Toxicity
In humans, slight contact is already sufficient to cause a two-day burning irritation with redness and blisters. Intense skin contact can lead to severe neuropathic complaints and even be life-threatening. Two sources even speak of fatalities.
Individual evidence
- ↑ www.rsnz.org ( Memento of the original dated May 3, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ^ Urtica ferox at Tropicos.org. In: IPCN Chromosome Reports . Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
- ^ Graeme D. Hammond-Tooke, Peter Taylor, Saman Punchihewa, Michael Beasley: Urtica ferox neuropathy . Muscle & Nerve 35 (6) 2007, pp. 804-807. doi : 10.1002 / mus.20730
- ↑ a b trimblefoundation.org: Urtica Ferox (Onga Onga) at Rewanui , accessed on September 10, 2014.
- ↑ www.treknature.com
