Okay, are they cute or what?

For years I’ve pulled hemp nettle “aliens” out of my garden — given a chance they run rampant. It grows quickly and will overtake everything around it. If there’s soil, hemp nettle will set up shop. If you’re a farmer it’s particularly bad as it competes with crops for moisture and soil nutrients.

Despite the term “nettle” I’ve never had a problem pulling them out sans gloves, although some sources say the tiny stem hairs can pierce the skin.

Classed as a noxious weed, it hitchhiked to Canada from Europe and Asia and was enjoying life in its new country by the 1880s.

The brown spots are nutlets, each containing 1 seed. Each flower produces 4.

The dried seed husks will definitely stick it to you if you touch them.

First flowers. Successive ones will appear below as the stem grows.

Hemp nettle belongs to the mint family — square stems, tiny flowers, paired leaves. And volatile oils. No surprise that its relatives include basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and lavender.

I’d give hemp nettle a pass, though.

Hemp nettle   Galeopsis tetrahit