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Boehmeria cylindrica
Boehmeria cylindrica (L.) Sw.
Smallspike False Nettle, Bog Hemp
Urticaceae (Nettle Family)
Synonym(s): Boehmeria austrina, Boehmeria cylindrica var. drummondiana, Boehmeria cylindrica var. scabra, Boehmeria decurrens, Boehmeria drummondiana, Boehmeria scabra, Urtica cylindrica
USDA Symbol: BOCY
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), PR (N), CAN (N)
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , BrownBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
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 , WVCanada: NB , QC
Native Distribution: Ontario to Quebec, south to Florida, west to Texas, north to Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Moist or shady ground.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Benefit
Attracts: ButterfliesLarval Host: Eastern Comma, Red Admiral
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) Larval Host |
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) Larval Host |
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | OBL | OBL | FACW | FACW | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
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
Bibref 1294 - 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
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Boehmeria cylindrica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Boehmeria cylindrica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Boehmeria cylindrica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-23Research By: TWC Staff