Ramie
Boehmeria nivea

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub which grows from year to year. It is 1-3 m tall. The underground roots are thick storage roots. The leaves occur one after another along opposite sides of the stem. The leaves have long leaf stalks and are oval but broad. They have teeth along the edge. They are 7.5-15 cm long by 5-10 cm wide. The leaves are white underneath. The more tropical form does not have hairs under the leaf. The flowers are small. They occur in the axils of leaves. The flowers have separate sexes. The male flowers are lower down and the female flowers higher up. The fruit is a small dry one seeded fruit. It is brownish-yellow and about 1 mm long. Flowers are wind pollinated.

The plant is often grown for the fibres. There are about 100 Boehmeria species. They grow in the tropics and subtropics. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. The plant grows best in warm moist climates. It needs rich well drained soil. It can grow in part shade. It grows on the edges of forests between 200-1,700 m above sea level. Melbourne Botanical gardens. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Central Asia, China (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, East Africa, Fiji, Grenada, Guam, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Norfolk Island, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sikkim, Slovenia, South America, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The roots are eaten after boiling and peeling. Oil extracted from the seeds is used for cooking. The leaves are cooked and eaten. They are also used as a dye to make black rice cake.

Edible parts

Root, leaves, seeds - oil, flowers, stem

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed. It is more commonly grown from cuttings of the rhizome. Sections 15-25 cm long are planted at a depth of 5-8 cm. Suckers and stem cuttings can also be used.

Its other names

Local names

Ban, Bela kopriva, China Grass, Gon, Kankura, Kya-sha, Lashen, Rami, Rhea

Synonyms

Boehmeria tenacissima Gaudich.;