Hi Barry, The plant in the photos in stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). It is native to Alaska and can cause burning or stinging pain when touched. The effects are short-lived and usually have no lasting impact. Handling the plant with gloves usually does the trick. It is a very nutritious and medicinal plant, if you are into that sort of thing. Feel free to contact us with nay other questions Thanks!

Probably best to wait for next year's crop for salad. The leaves are best harvested before the plant blooms, otherwise they are bitter tasting. But when harvesting, crush them to trigger the hairs and eat raw, or steam like kale!