Boehmeria Japonica

''Boehmeria japonica'' is a species of flowering plant in the nettle family ( Urticaceae). It native to eastern Asia, where it is found in China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Its natural habitat is extremely variable, being found in areas that range from wet to dry, and from shaded to open. It is tolerant of disturbance, and can be found growing on walls and roadsides. It is considered to be a common species in most of Japan.

Description

It is perennial subshrub or herb, growing to 5 m in height. Its leaves are dark green, ovate, and with upwardly-curving teeth. It produces small green flowers in the summer.''Boehmeria japonica''
Flora of China

File:Boehmeria longispica in Sendai, Japan.jpg, Variety ''japonica'', showing thick leaves with many teeth
File:Boehmeria tricuspis - Flickr - peganum (1).jpg, Variety ''silvestrii'', showing three elongated teeth
File:Boehmeria japonica.jpg, Variety ''tenera'', showing glabrous leaves and a single elongated terminal tooth

Taxonomy

''Boehmeria japonica'' is a highly morphologically variable species across it range, due to the presence of both apomixis and polyploidy. Numerous segregates have named in attempts to taxonomically describe this variation. In the most recent treatment of the complex, three integrating varieties are recognized. They are:
*''B. japonica'' var. ''japonica''- with spreading pubescence, leaves larger and thicker-textured; found in warmer areas.
*''B. japonica'' var. ''silvestrii'' -leaves glabrous or appressed-pubescent; leaves thin, wide, with three elongated teeth; uncommon.
*''B. japonica'' var. ''tenera'' - leaves glabrous or appressed-pubescent; leaves thin, narrow, and with a single long terminal tooth; common.

Uses

It is used for making ropes and cloth, as agricultural fodder, and medicinally to relieve fever.

References

japonica
Taxa named by Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel

{{Urticaceae-stub