The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Laportea canadensis
    n 1: American perennial herb found in rich woods and provided
         with stinging hairs; provides fibers used for textiles
         [syn: wood nettle, Laportea canadensis]