Family: Urticaceae
Author: (L.) Gaudich.
Bibliography: Voy. Uranie: 499 (1830)
Year: 1830
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Boehmeria
Vegetable: False
Observations: Indian Subcontinent to Temp. E. Asia and Indo-China
Description
Ramie is a valuable plant distinguished for its strong and durable fibers. Scientifically known as Boehmeria nivea, this enduring plant has a rich history dating back to its documentation by Gaudich. in the publication “Voy. Uranie” in 1830. The enduring utility of ramie places it among the most ancient fiber crops, traced predominantly to the Indian subcontinent, temperate East Asia, and Indo-China.
Ramie belongs to the Urticaceae family, a diverse group of plants often noted for their economic and cultural significance. This semi-woody perennial thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, where it can be harvested up to three to four times a year, making it an abundant source of natural fiber.
The fibers extracted from Boehmeria nivea are renowned for their exceptional strength, luster, and resistance to microbial attacks, which makes them highly desirable in the textile industry. Beyond its textile applications, ramie has historical and present-day uses in agriculture, medicine, and industry. In agriculture, it’s often woven into mats and nets due to its tough and long-lasting properties. In traditional medicine, various parts of the plant have been employed for their potential therapeutic benefits.
Ramie’s integration into different crafts and industries highlights its versatility. The sheer durability and aesthetic appeal of its fibers make ramie a sought-after material for high-quality fabrics and various industrial uses, preserving its status as an indispensable resource through the ages.
Common Names
Eng: china-grass, chinese grass, chinese silkplant, ramie chinese grass, ramie, rhea-fibre
Ita: ortica argentata, ramié
Spa: ortiga blanca, ramio
Por: rami, ramie
Swe: rami
Fra: ramie de chine
En: Ramie, China-grass, Chinese silkplant, Chinese grass, Kgi, Ramie Chinese grass, Rhea-fibre, China grass, Chinese silk-plant, Rhea Plant, Zhu ma
Ar: رامي
Hy: Ռամի
Az: Qar bemeriyası
Eu: Rami
Be: Рамі белае
Bg: Рамия
Ca: Rami
Zh: Zhu ma, 苧麻
Hr: Ramija
Cs: Ramie
Nl: Ramie
Fi: Rami
Fr: Ramie de Chine, Ramie
Ka: Რამი
De: Ramie
He: סרפד
Hi: रैमी
Is: Ramí
Io: Ramio
It: Ortica argentata, Rami√©, Ramié
Ja: Nanban-kara-mushi
Jv: Rami
Kn: ಕಿತ್ತನಾರು
Ko: Mosipul, 모시풀
Lt: Pluoštinė bemerija
Ms: Rami
No: Kinagras, Kinagress
Fa: رامی
Pl: Szczmiel biały
Pt: Rami, Ramie
Ro: Ramie
Ru: Рами белое
Es: Ramio, Ortiga blanca
Su: Haramay
Sv: Rami
Zh-tw: 苧麻
Th: ป่านรามี
Tr: Rami
Vi: Gai
Synonyms
- Boehmeria frutescens var. concolor ((Makino) Nakai)
- Boehmeria juncea (Bedevian)
- Boehmeria frutescens var. viridula ((Yamam.) Suzuki)
- Urera lamiifolia (Gaudich. ex B.D.Jacks.)
- Boehmeria nipononivea (Koidz.)
- Urtica nivea (L.)
- Boehmeria nivea f. concolor ((Makino) Kitam.)
- Boehmeria nivea subsp. nipononivea ((Koidz.) Kitam.)
- Boehmeria compacta (Blume)
- Boehmeria candicans (Hassk.)
- Boehmeria nivea var. nipononivea ((Koidz.) W.T.Wang)
- Boehmeria thailandica (Yahara)
- Boehmeria tenacissima ((Roxb.) Ed.Otto)
- Ramium compactum ((Blume) Kuntze)
- Boehmeria nivea f. viridula ((Yamam.) Hatus.)
- Ramium mollicoma ((Miq.) Kuntze)
- Boehmeria mollicoma (Miq.)
- Urtica utilis (de Vriese)
- Boehmeria nivea var. candicans ((Hassk.) Wedd.)
- Boehmeria nivea var. concolor (Makino)
- Urtica millettii (Hook. & Arn.)
- Boehmeria nivea f. nipononivea ((Koidz.) Kitam.)
- Urtica tenacissima (Roxb.)
- Boehmeria nivea var. tenacissima ((Roxb.) Miq.)
- Boehmeria nivea var. viridula (Yamam.)
- Ramium niveum ((L.) Kuntze)
- Boehmeria utilis (André)
- Boehmeria nivea var. reticulata (Blume)
- Procris nivea (Wedd.)
- Boehmeria nipononivea var. concolor ((Makino) Ohwi)
- Urtica lamiifolia (Juss. ex Pers.)
Distribution
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Cook Is. (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Hainan (native)
- India (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kazan-retto (native)
- Korea (native)
- Laos (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Brazil South (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Congo (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Gabon (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Guatemala (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Jawa (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Marshall Is. (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- Paraguay (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Rwanda (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- Sumatera (introduced)
- Tadzhikistan (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Transcaucasus (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Uzbekistan (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
- Zaïre (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Sep 24, 2022 by Leung Axtue (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Carolina Maldonado (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 28, 2020 by Martinez Fernanda (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − dalewawa (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 7, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 26, 2021 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jun 12, 2021 by Kenneth Parker (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 23, 2020 by chanon chanonpan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Kristen Van Neste (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − dalewawa (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Nov 26, 2021 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Fruit
Taken Sep 15, 2019 by giuditta castioni (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2020 by 由美子 MiS (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 4, 2020 by Thoxiii (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2984359)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:55676-3)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb, Subshrub