Family: Urticaceae
Author: (L.) Sw.
Bibliography: Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 34 (1788)
Year: 1788
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Boehmeria
Vegetable: False
Observations: E. Canada to Trop. & Subtrop. America
Description
Bog-hemp, scientifically known as Boehmeria cylindrica, is a fascinating plant species first documented in 1788 by the botanist Olof Swartz in his publication “Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.” This member of the Urticaceae family is widely distributed, stretching from eastern Canada down through tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
The plant typically flourishes in moist, often swampy environments, which is a testament to its name, Bog-hemp. Its habitat range highlights its adaptability to various climates, from the cool temperate zones of Canada to the warmer, lush conditions found further south.
Bog-hemp is notable for its cylindrical flower spikes, which distinguish it from other members of its family. These spikes are small, greenish, and not particularly showy, but they play a crucial role in the plant’s reproductive system. Its leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem and have a rough texture, further aiding its identification.
Due to its extensive range and adaptability, Bog-hemp serves as an important ecological component in its native habitats. It often plays a role in the stabilization of soil in wetland areas and provides habitat and food for various wildlife species. Despite its commonplace nature, this plant holds significant ecological value and continues to be a subject of interest among botanists and ecologists alike.
Common Names
Eng: bog-hemp, false nettle, small-spike false nettle, smallspike false nettle
Fra: boehméria cylindrique, fausse ortie cylindrique, ortie de savanne
En: Bog-hemp, False nettle, Smallspike false nettle, Bog nettle, Small-Spike False Nettle, SMALLSPIKE FALSENETTLE
Fr: Boehméria cylindrique, Fausse ortie cylindrique, Ortie de savanne
Synonyms
- Boehmeria drummondiana (Wedd.)
- Ramium cylindricum (Kuntze)
- Procris lateriflora (Poir.)
- Boehmeria florida (Miq.)
- Boehmeria cylindrica var. tenerrima (Blume)
- Boehmeria cylindrica f. cuneata (F.Seym.)
- Boehmeria longifolia (Gand.)
- Boehmeria littoralis (Sw.)
- Boehmeria cylindrica var. brachystachys (Wedd.)
- Boehmeria cylindrica var. genuina (Wedd.)
- Boehmeria cylindrica var. littoralis ((Sw.) Wedd.)
- Urtica palustris (Juss. ex Pers.)
- Boehmeria cylindrica var. scabra (Porter)
- Urtica distachya (Spreng.)
- Boehmeria cylindrica var. drummondiana ((Wedd.) Wedd.)
- Ramium elongatum (Kuntze)
- Boehmeria cylindrica var. elatior (Wedd.)
- Urtica filiformis (Walter)
- Boehmeria lateriflora (Muhl. ex Willd.)
- Duretia cylindrica (Gaudich.)
- Procris littoralis (Poir.)
- Duretia palustris (Gaudich.)
- Urtica mariana (Mill.)
- Boehmeria atrovirens (Gand.)
- Boehmeria austrina (Small)
- Boehmeria cylindrica subvar. phyllostachya ((Miq.) Wedd.)
- Urtica cylindrica (L.)
- Boehmeria phyllostachya f. glabrior (Miq.)
- Boehmeria cylindrica var. phyllostachya ((Miq.) Wedd.)
- Boehmeria phyllostachya (Miq.)
- Boehmeria decurrens (Small)
- Boehmeria dasypoda (Miq.)
- Boehmeria cylindrica subvar. tomentosa (Wedd.)
- Boehmeria cylindrica subvar. gymnostachya (Wedd.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Belize (native)
- Bermuda (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Florida (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Utah (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- France (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Jun 7, 2020 by Leslie M (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2021 by Jamie Parker (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 5, 2019 by Marcello Consolo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 5, 2022 by michele ward (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 14, 2018 by thomas wolf (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Meilan Higgins (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 30, 2020 by Chris Griggs (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 30, 2020 by cáceres Felux (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 31, 2013 by EOL − bendingtree (cc-by-nc)
Bark
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2020 by Kyle Grubb (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Matt Miller (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Melanie Strong (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2010 by EOL − Mary Keim (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Dec 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2020 by blue Hat (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 24, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 30, 2020 by Chris Griggs (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Nicoline Bradford (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – N. Zamora (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Nov 26, 2019 by Moura Miguel (cc-by-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/2984345)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:850563-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Boehmeria cylindrica (L.) Sw.)
Specifications
Growth form: Bunch
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth rate: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 5.1