Common Name: Small-Spiked False Nettle, False Nettle, Bog Hemp
Specific Name: Boehmeria cylindrica
Known Occurrence at Taylor Point:
Map Areas: Beach 1E
Category: Native, Herbaceous Plant
Ecological Considerations:
Boehmeria cylindrica, commonly known as Small-Spiked False Nettle is a perennial plant that generally grows about 2-3′ tall, branching occasionally. This member of the Nettle family does not have stinging hairs. Its stems are light green, 4-angled or round. Its leaves are usually opposite along the stems, but sometimes they are alternate, and are ovate or ovate-lanceolate, growing up to 4″ long and 2½” across, with long slender petioles. The margins are coarsely serrated.
Small-Spiked False Nettle blooms from midsummer to early fall. Spikes of green or greenish white flowers grow from the axils of the upper leaves. They are straight and angle upward from the axis of the central stem. The flowering spikes grow about ½–3″ long; sometimes they are terminal, but more often they will develop additional leaves beyond the flowers. They have no floral scent and are pollinated by the wind.
Small-Spiked False Nettle is usually dioecious, with male and female flowers produced on separate plants. Male flowers are distributed along the spikes in bunches, while female flowers are produced along the spikes more or less continuously. These flowers are very small and lack petals. The fruit consists of a small achene.
Small-Spiked False Nettle is often found in rich, moist forests, swamps, floodplains , and wetland margins
Map areas where this plant can be used for revegetation:
Propagation Mechanisms/Strategies for Encouraging its Establishment:
Best Planting Practices/Options and Pros and Cons of Options:
False nettle is very easy to propagate from cuttings. It will readily root in water or soil.
Key Issues Regarding its Ecology:
Associated Ecological Benefits:
False Nettle is a host plant for a few butterflies, including the Red Admiral Butterfly, the Question Mark and the Eastern Comma. These butterflies lay their eggs on the False Nettle and their caterpillars hatch and feed on the plant.
Availability of Locally Sourced Seeds and Plants:
Case Studies of Native Plant Establishment Efforts/Lessons Learned:
Additional Photos:
Sources cited:
Go Botany
Illinois Wildflowers
False Nettle Wiki
Lucas Land
JoyfulButterfly
Key Words:
Boehmeria cylindrica
Small-Spiked False Nettle
False Nettle
Bog Hemp