Boehmeria nivea

(Linnaeus) Gaudichaud-Beaupré

Voy. Uranie 12: 499. 1830.

Common names: Ramie
Introduced
Basionym: Urtica nivea Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 2: 985. 1753
Synonyms: Ramium niveum (Linnaeus) Small
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Shrubs or subshrubs, 2(-3) m. Leaves alternate. Leaf blades broadly ovate to nearly orbiculate, 8-15 × 5-12 cm, abaxial surface densely white-tomentose, adaxial surface slightly scabrous. Inflorescences panicles of moniliform (beaded) clusters, branches not leafy at apex; staminate flowers in proximal leaf axils, pistillate flowers in distil axils. Achenes compressed or lenticular, ovoid or ellipsoid, ca. 1.5 × ca. 0.9 mm, pubescent with straight or slightly curved hairs, uniformly smooth; seeds not conspicuous in outline, corky tissue absent.


Phenology: Flowering late summer–fall.
Habitat: Roadsides, waste places, vacant lots, cultivated fields, along Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains
Elevation: 0-200 m

Distribution

V3 453-distribution-map.gif

Introduced; Ala., Fla., Ga., La., S.C., Tex., Va., Central America, Asia.

Discussion

Boehmeria nivea, ramie, is an important source of fiber in Asia and was introduced into the United States in 1855 as a commercial crop. The fibers are exceptionally strong but difficult to extract.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Boehmeria nivea"
David E. Boufford +
(Linnaeus) Gaudichaud-Beaupré +
Urtica nivea +
Ala. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, La. +, S.C. +, Tex. +, Va. +, Central America +  and Asia. +
0-200 m +
Roadsides, waste places, vacant lots, cultivated fields, along Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains +
Flowering late summer–fall. +
Voy. Uranie +
Introduced +
Ramium niveum +
Boehmeria nivea +
Boehmeria +
species +