Plants in this genus are evergreenshrubs or small trees, with the exception of the aptly-named giant stinging tree (D. excelsa) which may reach 35 m (115 ft) in height.[3] Dendrocnide species have a sympodial growth habit and are armed with fine needle-like stinging hairs. They are generally fast-growing and produce soft wood, and are usually found in areas of disturbed forest where they fill the role of a pioneer species.[1][4][5][6]
The leaves are simple, alternate, and petiolate, (i.e. having long petioles or leaf-stems), and the leaf blade may be either entire or have some form of dentate toothing (notches or teeth on the edges of the leaf). The leaves are also often large, and may be either leathery or papery. The stipules are fused and deciduous, leaving conspicuous scars on the twigs after falling.[1][4][5]
Fruits are an achene, often compressed, and may be eclosed within the swollen pedicel.[1][4][5]
Taxonomy
The genus Dendrocnide was raised in 1851 by the Dutch physician, botanist, and taxonomistFriedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel (1811–1871) who dedicated a large part of his life to describing specimens of the flora of the Dutch East Indies which were sent to him by his many contacts.[7] This genus was first published in the work Plantae Junghuhnianae, in which he described three species, namely D. peltata, D. costata (the original type species that is now known as D. stimulans) and D. coerulea.[8][2]
Etymology
The name of this genus comes from Ancient Greekdéndron (tree), and knī́dē (nettle), referring to the large size of most species in this genus.[9][6]FR
List of species
The following list shows all 42 species recognised by Plants of the World Online
as of 17 April 2023[update]
, and a brief summary of its distribution.[2]
^ abcd"PlantNET - FloraOnline". PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
^"PlantNET - FloraOnline". PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 19 July 2021.