nettles

[kmgsmom]

Do stinging nettles have a "dormant" season when you wouldn't be stung if you touched one? I know they only flower, in the Pacific Northwest, from June or July through September, but can they sting if they aren't flowering?

[woofgang]

oh yes!

[silly moo]

If you grasp firmly they don't sting, if you fall into nettles you are more likely to get stung whilst getting up than falling in.
Dock leaves are a good natural antidote to nettle stings - rub the leaf over the sting.

[Kingaroo]

The sting is caused by tiny barbed hairs all over the stem and leaves.  It has nothing to do with the flowers. If the plant is standing, it's dangerous.  If it dies back, the little hairs might still be on the dried-up dead plant.