pica-pica

9.9

A stinging plant from tropical America that makes your skin itch when touched

noun

: pica-pica

The leaves of the pica-pica can cause severe itching if touched with bare hands.

Examples

There are folk remedies used to relieve the irritation caused by pica-pica exposure.
Farmers in the region are cautious about removing pica-pica from their fields.
The pica-pica can cause severe skin irritation.
Have you ever encountered a pica-pica in the wild?
The leaves of the pica-pica can cause severe itching if touched with bare hands.
Farmers in the region are cautious about removing pica-pica from their fields.
There are folk remedies used to relieve the irritation caused by pica-pica exposure.

Synonyms

Cnidoscolus urens

vspica-pica

Specialized

9.9

A plant from tropical America with tiny hairs that sting your skin

is a general stinging herb rather than a named species

spurge nettle

vspica-pica

9.9

A tropical American plant with hairs that sting and cause a painful rash

refers more broadly to the herb without scientific labeling

Jatropha stimulosus

vspica-pica

Specialized

9.9

A tropical herb with stinging hairs that irritate the skin

is the common herb term rather than a specific species name

devil nettle

vspica-pica

9.9

A plant with tiny hairs that sting your skin

is the broader label that may cover other similar plants

tread-softly

vspica-pica

Specialized

9.9

A tropical plant with stinging hairs that make the skin hurt

is the simple herb name not tied to this phrasing

Jatropha urens

vspica-pica

Specialized

9.9

A tropical plant whose sap causes skin irritation when touched

focuses on stinging hairs as the cause of skin irritation

Surface Forms

pica-pica singular

pica-picas plural

Etymology

The word pica-pica comes from Spanish, from the verb picar, which means 'to prick' or 'to sting'. So a pica-pica is named for the plant's sharp, itchy touch that 'pricks' the skin and causes irritation.