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. 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 honour of the German botanist, Georg Rudolf Boehmer.

thumb|255px|Red emerging young shoot of a Boehmeria nivea.

Fossil record

14 fossil fruit of †Boehmeria sibirica have been extracted from borehole samples of the Middle Miocene fresh water deposits in Nowy Sacz Basin, West Carpathians, Poland.

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

, Plants of the World Online accepted the species listed below.

New World species

The following species are found in the New World:

  • Boehmeria beyeri <small>C.B.Rob.</small>
  • Boehmeria clidemioides <small>Miq.</small>
  • Boehmeria conica <small>C.J.Chen, Wilmot-Dear & Friis</small>
  • Boehmeria densiflora <small>Hook. & Arn.</small>
  • Boehmeria depauperata <small>Wedd.</small>
  • Boehmeria didymogyne <small>Wedd.</small>
  • Boehmeria × dura <small>Satake</small>
  • Boehmeria × egregia <small>Satake</small>
  • Boehmeria grandis <small>(Hook. & Arn.) A.Heller</small>
  • Boehmeria hamiltoniana <small>Wedd.</small>
  • Boehmeria helferi <small>Blume</small>
  • Boehmeria heterophylla <small>Wedd.</small>
  • Boehmeria holosericea <small>Blume</small>
  • Boehmeria japonica <small>(L.f.) Miq.</small>
  • Boehmeria × kiusiana <small>Satake</small>
  • Boehmeria kurzii <small>Hook.f.</small>
  • Boehmeria lanceolata <small>Ridl.</small>
  • Boehmeria leptostachya <small>Friis & Wilmot-Dear</small>
  • Boehmeria listeri <small>Friis & Wilmot-Dear</small>
  • Boehmeria manipurensis <small>Friis & Wilmot-Dear</small>
  • Boehmeria meifenggensis <small>S.S.Ying</small>
  • Boehmeria multiflora <small>C.B.Rob.</small>
  • Boehmeria nakashimae <small>Yahara</small>
  • Boehmeria nivea <small>(L.) Gaudich.</small>
  • Boehmeria ourantha <small>Miq.</small>
  • Boehmeria penduliflora <small>Wedd. ex D.G.Long</small>
  • Boehmeria pilosiuscula <small>(Blume) Hassk.</small>
  • Boehmeria platanifolia <small>(Franch. & Sav.) C.H.Wright</small>
  • Boehmeria polystachya <small>Wedd.</small>
  • Boehmeria rugosissima <small>(Reinw. ex Blume) Miq.</small>
  • Boehmeria siamensis <small>Craib</small>
  • Boehmeria sieboldiana <small>Blume</small>
  • Boehmeria splitgerbera <small>Koidz.</small>
  • Boehmeria subintegra <small>Friis & Wilmot-Dear</small>
  • Boehmeria ternifolia <small>D.Don</small>
  • Boehmeria tsaratananensis <small>Leandri</small>
  • Boehmeria villosa <small>C.B.Rob.</small>
  • Boehmeria virgata <small>(G.Forst.) Guill.</small>
  • Boehmeria yaeyamensis <small>Hatus.</small>
  • Boehmeria zollingeriana <small>Wedd.</small>

Synonyms

The following names have been synonymized:

  • Boehmeria calophleba <small>C.Moore & F.Muell.</small> is a synonym of Pouzolzia australis <small>(Endl.) Friis & Wilmot-Dear</small>.
  • Boehmeria glomerulifera <small>Miq.</small> is a synonym of Boehmeria depauperata <small>Wedd.</small>.
  • Boehmeria jamaicensis <small>Urb.</small> is a synonym of Boehmeria ramiflora <small>Jacq.</small>.
  • Boehmeria macrophylla <small>Hornem.</small> is a synonym of Boehmeria virgata subsp. macrophylla.
  • Boehmeria platyphylla <small>D.Don</small> is a synonym of Boehmeria virgata var. macrostachya.

References

  • Jepson Manual Treatment