Boehmeria nipononivea

Koidz.

Urticaceae Edible: Leaves, Roots Potential hazards — see below 93 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Perennial reaching 1.5 m tall. Flowers September to October. Dioecious species requiring both male and female plants for seed production. Prefers light sandy and medium loamy well-drained soils in mildly acid to basic pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun with preference for moist soil.

Description

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Edible Uses: Root - cooked. Leaves - cooked.

Medicinal Uses

Febrifuge The plant is used as a medicine to relieve fevers and infections of the urethra.

Known Hazards

Although members of the nettle family, plants in this genus do not have stinging hairs.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, Japan,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of this country. This species is very closely related to Boehmeria nivea and is included as a subspecies of that species by some botanists. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in a warm sandy soil that is very well-drained. Ramie has been cultivated for its fibre in many areas of China for a long time, with a history that can be traced back at least 3000 years ago. We are not sure if this species is dioecious or monoecious.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well. Layering. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Grow them on for their first winter in the cold frame and then plant them out in the summer.

Other Uses

Fibre Ramie fibre, obtained from the stem of the plant, is of very high quality and is used to make cloth, ropes and high-quality cloths, and for some industrial material. Special Uses

Notes

There are about 100 Boehmeria species. They grow in the tropics and subtropics. There are 14 species in tropical America.

References (2)

Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 10:223. 1941
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/