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Boehmeria cylindrica - (L.)Sw.

Common Name False Nettle, Smallspike false nettle
Family Urticaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Although members of the nettle family, plants in this genus do not have stinging hairs[235].
Habitats Moist or shady ground[43]. Alluvial or moist, deciduous woods, swamps, bogs, marshes, wet meadows and ditches from sea level to 1800 metres[270].
Range Eastern N. America - Florida to Texas, north to S. Quebec, S. Ontario and Minnesota.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Boehmeria cylindrica False Nettle, Smallspike false nettle


Jeff McMillian @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Boehmeria cylindrica False Nettle, Smallspike false nettle
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Boehmeria cylindrica is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from August to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre

A fibre obtained from the stems is used for cordage, nets etc[169].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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 should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in a warm sandy soil[1] that is very well-drained[200]. We are not sure if this species is dioecious or monoecious[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse, only just covering 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec (south), Ontario (south), New Brunswick), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Utah (southeast)), Mexico (Coahuila de Zaragoza, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Hidalgo, México, Morelos, Puebla, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Bermuda, Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad), United States (Puerto Rico), Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, French Guiana, Suriname, Venezuela, Brazil (south), Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Boehmeria glomerulifera Shrub4.0 -  LMSNDM002
Boehmeria longispica Shrub1.2 -  LMSNM111
Boehmeria macrophylla Shrub2.5 -  LMSNDM002
Boehmeria nipononiveaRamiePerennial1.5 -  LMSNM112
Boehmeria niveaRamie, Chinese Grass, Chinese Silk PlantPerennial1.8 6-9  LSNDM225
Boehmeria spicata Shrub1.0 -  LMSNM102
Boehmeria tricuspis Perennial0.8 -  LMSNM113

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Sw.

Botanical References

43235270

Links / References

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