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[Bill Jones <billj AT harborside.com>]

Nettle is the plant we can't live with, and can't live without.  My 
patch has never spread much sideways, but it has set seed at times, 
which has expanded its range somewhat uncontrollably, but still not 
disastrously.  Already I have a policy of not using compost on open 
ground, because of the nettle seed in it.  Every year I debate whether 
to remove it.  Finally there's an answer.

I read the fine print in the Jepson Manual and found that the European 
nettle subspecies makes male and female flowers on separate plants 
(although occasionally there's a plant with both).  The native American 
nettles always produce both kinds on the same plant.

The solution seems to be to find a male nettle plant, dig it up and save 
it, then remove all the remaining nettles.  After the seed-bearing 
females are safely gone, the male can be replanted in the same place.

Next spring I'll get out the microscope and try to sex the nettle flowers.

Bill
S. Oregon coast