Heartleaf nettle grows low in rich woods, along flood plains, and in disturbed ground across the southeastern United States and into Mexico. Its stinging trichomes are not a casual warning — contact causes dermatitis that can persist for two days — but the plant wears its armor in service of something larger. The larvae of Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Eastern Comma, Mourning Cloak, and Question Mark butterflies all depend on it as a food source, giving this unassuming annual an outsized ecological role.

Because it is edible (cooking neutralizes the sting), heartleaf nettle occupies an interesting space between weed and cultivated plant. In a naturalistic garden setting managed with gloves and a degree of tolerance, it can anchor a corner that benefits butterfly populations without demanding any maintenance in return. Its green flowers are inconspicuous and bloom in summer, keeping the focus on the foliage that makes it valuable to the insects seeking it out.