This is a widespread tetraploid (2n = 26) in mesic woods across eastern North America, but uncommon to rare on the southeastern Coastal Plain. In the southern half of its range, Laportea is generally restricted to riparian terraces, but within cooler regions it occurs extends into upland woods on fertile soils. In Ky. it may have been much more widespread in farmed landscapes before being reduced by hogs and cattle, which find it highly nutritious despite the stinging hairs; experienced cattle will even walk down narrow rocky paths to river bottoms, if they know that dense nettles await. The historical effects of cattle have also been suggested in Minn. (Biederman 2000). Ageratina altissima can largely replace Laportea after such disturbance, as found in the forests of the Great Smoky Mts. when influenced by wild boar (Howe et al. 1981; JC, pers. obs.). Dense deer populations can also greatly reduce Laportea under some conditions, promoting unpalatable plants like Ageratina altissima and Hackelia virginiana instead (Augustine et al. 1998; and his cited thesis). Even rabbits can browse on leaves of Laportea (JC pers. obs.).