I have no idea what this very tall plant was. It was as tall as me. I should have tried to get a better picture, which I actually did but posted this one to show the height. This is the dreaded Stinging Nettle. Its identification are sharp hairs on its leaves. These hairs contain chemicals, such as formic acid and histamine, that can be irritable to the skin and can cause stinging, itching, and redness. I can attest to the itching as Wendy and I found that out while reaching for Thimbleberries.

And who knew (bet you can't do this with poison ivy): In order to eat stinging nettle, leaves must first be cooked or steamed to get rid of the hairs on the leaves. But if you are lost in the wild and have no means to cook or to steam the leaves, then it’s possible to eat raw, fresh nettles. You can neutralize the formic acid by crushing nettle leaves first, eliminating their sting.

Stinging Nettle has great medicinal value; said to help with arthritis, rheumatism, muscular pain, seasonal allergies and diabetes. Stinging Nettle also contains high amounts of protein, crude fiber, calcium, iron, and is relatively low in carbohydrate. It is generally safe to eat this plant although in some people it can cause urinary problems, rashes, diarrhea and stomach problems.