Boehmeria is a genus of 47 species of flowering plants in the nettle family Urticaceae. Of the species, 33 are indigenous to the Old World and 14 to the New World; no species is indigenous to both the Old and New Worlds. The species include herbaceous perennials, shrubs and small trees. Although related to the similar-looking species of the stinging nettles of genus Urtica, species of Boehmeria do not have stinging hairs. Because of the similarity in appearance, some species are commonly called "false nettles". This genus is named in honor of the German botanist, Georg Rudolf Boehmer.

Fossil record

14 fossil fruits of †Boehmeria sibirica have been extracted from borehole samples of the Middle Miocene fresh water deposits in Nowy Sacz Basin, West Carpathians, Poland.

Cultivation and uses

One species, ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is an important fibre crop. Some are also used as ornamental plants. Boehmeria species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Bedellia boehmeriella, which feeds exclusively on B. grandis.

Species

, Plants of the World Online accepted the species listed below.

New World species

The following species are found in the New World:

Old World species

The following species are found in the Old World:

Synonyms

The following names have been synonymized: