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Native Plant Database

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Boehmeria cylindrica (Smallspike false nettle)
Smith, R.W.

Boehmeria cylindrica (L.) Sw.

Smallspike false nettle, Bog Hemp

Urticaceae (Nettle Family)

USDA Symbol: BOCY

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Tiny greenish flowers are in small, head-like clusters, arranged in continuous or interrupted spikes in the axils of opposite leaves. Plant lacks stinging hairs.

This species differs from Clearweed (Pilea pumila), the other member of the Nettle Family lacking stinging hairs, in that it does not have a translucent stem and is taller.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf: Green
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , QC
Native Distribution: Ontario to Quebec, south to Florida, west to Texas, north to Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Moist or shady ground.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), PR(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low

Benefit

Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Comma, Red Admiral

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Boehmeria cylindrica is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Eastern Comma
(Polygonia comma)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Red Admiral
(Vanessa atalanta)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Boehmeria cylindrica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Boehmeria cylindrica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Boehmeria cylindrica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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