In some parts of England the general name for Ferns is Devil’s Brushes, while in Cheshire, where the children draw the Yarrow across their faces and experience a tingling sensation in consequence, that plant is called the Devil’s Nettle.

Not to be confused with devil’s nettle, i.e. yarrow, Achillea millefolium L., allegedly considered the Devil’s favorite plant by witches in some places in Europe.

But be careful what you are about, for overhead is the terrible Laportea crenulata, or devil’s nettle; the petioles of the leaves are hispid with poisonous hairs, the sting of which, once felt, will not be forgotten by you in a hurry;

Devil's nettle

Meaning

Noun