[Meaning a] nettle, both the terrestrial [kind] and the maritime [kind] which is like a mollusc shell.
Aristophanes in Phoenician Women [writes]: "probably, of course, the first of all plants to grow were the rugged stinging-nettles".[1] Pherekrates in Deserters [writes]: "by Demeter, it was annoying to hear him singing so badly. For I would prefer to be crowned with stinging-nettles for the same length of time".[2] As to the maritime nettles, Aristotle [mentions] them in the first [book] of Concerning Animals and [so does] Theophrastus in the seventh [book] of Plants.[3]