Boehmeria

Boehmeria
Boehmeria grandis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Urticaceae
Tribe: Boehmerieae
Genus: Boehmeria
Jacq.
Species

47 species, see text

Boehmeria is a genus of 47 species of flowering plants in the nettle family Urticaceae. Of the species, 33 are indigenous to the Old World and 14 to the New World; no species is indigenous to both the Old and New Worlds.[1] The species include herbaceous perennials, shrubs and small trees. Although related to the similar-looking species of the stinging nettles of genus Urtica, species of Boehmeria do not have stinging hairs. Because of the similarity in appearance, some species are commonly called "false nettles".

This genus is named in honor of the German botanist, Georg Rudolf Boehmer.

Cultivation and uses

One species, ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is an important fibre crop. Some are also used as ornamental plants.

Boehmeria species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Bedellia boehmeriella, which feeds exclusively on B. grandis.

Species

This list is incomplete.

References

  1. Wilmot-Dear, C.M.; Friis, I (2013). "The Old World species of Boehmeria (Urticaceae, tribus Boehmerieae). A taxonomic revision". Blumea. 58 (2): 85–216. doi:10.3767/000651913X674116.

External links

Wikisource has the text of the 1905 New International Encyclopedia article Bœhmeria.
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