Boehmeria nivea

Boehmeria nivea is a herbaceous plant from the family of Urticaceae. The plant originally comes from East Asia, especially from China, where it has been cultivated for fiber acquisition for over 6000 years. Boehmeria nivea is one of the oldest plant fibers used by humans and is one of the strongest natural fibers.

Morphology

Boehmeria nivea is an upright growing plant that can reach a height of about 1 to 2.5 meters. The stems are slightly hairy and greenish to reddish. The leaves are arranged and have a wide, oval to heart -shaped structure with serrated edges. The underside of the leaf is characterized by white hair, which gives the plant its name "Nivea" (lat. For snow white). This silvery hair protects the plant from excessive transpiration in dry or hot climate zones.

The inflorescences of Boehmeria nivea are inconspicuous, small greenish flowers that are in dense, ear -like grapes. The Ramie is one -house. The flowers themselves are pollinated and do not have any striking petals.

Distribution and Habitat

Boehmeria nivea is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and mainly occurs in China, India, Korea, Japan and Taiwan. It thrives in warm, damp climatic zones, where it often grows in nature in river lowlands and damp forest areas. The plant prefers well -drained soils and a place in the partial shade.

Nowadays, Boehmeria nivea is cultivated in many parts of the world, especially in China, Brazil and the Philippines, where the plant is used for industrial fiber production. Her fibers are not only very resistant and tear -resistant, but also biodegradable, which makes it an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fibers.

Use and economic importance

The main value of Boehmeria nivea lies in the fibers that are obtained from the bark of the plant. These fibers are among the strongest vegetable natural fibers and are in great demand due to their strength, elasticity and durability. Ramief fibers have been used for centuries to produce textiles, ropes and nets. Due to its natural gloss structure, Ramie is often used as a silk replacement. Textiles from ramief fibers are characterized by their durability and durability towards moisture, bacteria and mold.

However, the extraction of the fibers is labor -intensive, as the bark removed mechanically and the fibers then have to be cleaned and processed elaborately. In the modern textile industry, Ramie is often used in mixtures with other fibers such as cotton, linen or wool to improve the positive properties of these materials.

Medical and ecological importance

In addition to economic use as a fiber plant, Boehmeria nivea also played a role in traditional Chinese medicine. Various parts of the plant, especially the leaves and roots, were used to treat fever, inflammation and other symptoms.

From an ecological point of view, the plant has a certain meaning, since it grows well in degraded or eroded soils and can therefore contribute to soil stabilization. Their ability to thrive under various environmental conditions also makes them attractive for agricultural companies in less fertile regions.