Boehmeria japonica is a very variable species and has, in the past, often been treated as a number of distinct species. However the differences between these species is not clearcut, with many intermediary forms being found. The complex of species is treated here as a single taxon subdivided into three partly intergrading varieties, differing in a combination of indumentum and leaf morphology with incompletely overlapping distributions, the morphological distinctions slightly obscured by intermediates between them and by a group of hybrids, some of uncertain parentage[].

Common Name:

General Information

Boehmeria japonica is a perennial plant producing a dense cluster of stems that become more or less woody and can persist; often becoming robust and thick-stemmed, the plant can grow from 1.5 - 5 metres tall. In cold winter areas it usually dies back to a woody rootstock in winters[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild, mainly for its useful fibre which is used locally.
The plant is known from many locations in a wide range of habitats. It is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern and eastern China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea.

Habitat

Very varied; growing in swamps in sandy soil; streams and moist slopes in deciduous forest, forest margins; open or shady damp ravines; thin evergreen forest; scrub in valleys; barren dry hillsides; grassland; walls and roadsides; 70 - 2,600 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Apomixy
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Boehmeria japonica ranges from the temperate zone of central China (hardiness zone 6) to the subtropical and tropical regions of southern China and Taiwan.
Succeeds in a warm sandy soil[] that is very well-drained[]. Plants are found in a wide variety of habitats in the wild, including swamps in sandy soils plus dry hillsides and walls[].
Usually a dioecious species, though mainly female plants with some male inflorescences are also known. Female plants are also known to produce seed without fertilization by male pollen (Apomixis). In general both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required[, ].

Edible Uses

Roots - cooked[].

Young leaves - cooked[]. The stems and the leaves are dried and ground into a meal then used in dumplings[].

Medicinal

The leaves are used as a medicine for treating fevers and relieve internal fever[].

Other Uses

The fibre obtained from the stems is used to make ropes, cloth and paper[].

An extract of the whole plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin protector[]. (As Boehmeria spicata)

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.