Common Stinging Nettle, Gerard's Herbal: The General History of Plants, Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives, HATCH 39&40

Nettles

"Nettles are so well known that they need no description; they may be found by feeling in the darkest night." [1] This is how Culpeper describes nettles. Gerard makes a similar statement about them being so common that a description is not needed. Nettles were apparently very common in England. It is reasonable to infer that Gerard's and Culpeper's intended audience would be more interested in the virtues of this plant, and not unneeded details about how to identify it.  

Gerard writes that it is an antidote against the poisonous effects of hemlock and certain mushrooms However, he does not write of personal experience using nettles, as he does some other plants. [2] Culpepper makes a similar recommendation for those who have mistakenly ingested hemlock but takes it a step further.  "The seed being drank, is a remedy against the stinging of venomous creatures, the biting of mad dogs, the poisonful qualities of hemlock, henbane, nightshade, mandrake, or other such like herbs that stupify or dull the senses." [3]