spurge nettle
    n 1: a stinging herb of tropical America [syn: spurge nettle,
         tread-softly, devil nettle, pica-pica, Cnidoscolus
         urens, Jatropha urens, Jatropha stimulosus]

Nettle \Net"tle\, n. [AS. netele; akin to D. netel, G. nessel,
   OHG. nezz["i]la, nazza, Dan. nelde, n[aum]lde, Sw.
   n[aum]ssla; cf, Lith. notere.] (Bot.)
   A plant of the genus Urtica, covered with minute sharp
   hairs containing a poison that produces a stinging sensation.
   Urtica gracilis is common in the Northern, and Urtica
   chamaedryoides in the Southern, United States. The common
   European species, Urtica urens and Urtica dioica, are
   also found in the Eastern united States. Urtica pilulifera
   is the Roman nettle of England.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The term nettle has been given to many plants related
         to, or to some way resembling, the true nettle; as:

   Australian nettle, a stinging tree or shrub of the genus
      Laportea (as Laportea gigas and Laportea moroides);
      -- also called nettle tree.

   Bee nettle, Hemp nettle, a species of Galeopsis. See
      under Hemp.

   Blind nettle, Dead nettle, a harmless species of
      Lamium.

   False nettle (Baehmeria cylindrica), a plant common in
      the United States, and related to the true nettles.

   Hedge nettle, a species of Stachys. See under Hedge.

   Horse nettle (Solanum Carolinense). See under Horse.

   nettle tree.
   (a) Same as Hackberry.
   (b) See Australian nettle (above).

   Spurge nettle, a stinging American herb of the Spurge
      family (Jatropha urens).

   Wood nettle, a plant (Laportea Canadensis) which stings
      severely, and is related to the true nettles.
      [1913 Webster]

   Nettle cloth, a kind of thick cotton stuff, japanned, and
      used as a substitute for leather for various purposes.

   Nettle rash (Med.), an eruptive disease resembling the
      effects of whipping with nettles.

   Sea nettle (Zool.), a medusa.
      [1913 Webster]

Spurge \Spurge\, n. [OF. espurge, F. ['e]purge, from OF.
   espurgier to purge, L. expurgare. See Expurgate, Purge.]
   (Bot.)
   Any plant of the genus Euphorbia. See Euphorbia.
   [1913 Webster]

   Spurge flax, an evergreen shrub (Daphne Gnidium) with
      crowded narrow leaves. It is a native of Southern Europe.
      

   Spurge laurel, a European shrub (Daphne Laureola) with
      oblong evergreen leaves.

   Spurge nettle. See under Nettle.

   Spurge olive, an evergreen shrub (Daphne oleoides) found
      in the Mediterranean region.
      [1913 Webster]