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Jul 16, 2023 7:48 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tim
Texas (Zone 8b)
Thumb of 2023-07-16/TimHall/4584ef

I'm really confused by what looks like an easy-to-identify plant. This is a volunteer that has been freely reseeding itself within the span of one season.

At first I thought it might be perilla (shiso,) but the flowers and stems don't look right at all. Also it's not at all aromatic (other than generically herbaceous) like perilla.

It's starting to look more like some variety of nettle to me. BUT here's what has me really confused: It doesn't sting. At all. And the only non-stinging nettles I've found online look nothing like it.

Leaves are hairy on both sides, moreso on the bottom. Stems have five lobes. Flower clusters are branched, not a single spire. Leaves have a very mild flavor, not unpleasant or bitter (yes, I chewed on bit.)
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Jul 16, 2023 7:50 AM CST
Name: Janine
NE Connecticut (Zone 6b)
Cat Lover Native Plants and Wildflowers Region: Connecticut Seed Starter Herbs Plant and/or Seed Trader
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Avatar for TimHall
Jul 16, 2023 8:15 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tim
Texas (Zone 8b)
Janine, Laportea aestuans was one of my first guesses too, and it looks very similar. But all the literature seems to indicate it has stinging hairs.

My plant has hairs, but no sting.
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