Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

small-spike false-nettle, bog hemp

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Boehmeria cylindrica

Family:

Urticaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

2.5 to 4 ft tall by 1 to 3 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

green

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Ground cover in moist sites in casual settings. Very attractive when young, but becomes somewhat weedy and tall as it matures. Probably better suited for restoration than landscaping.

Considerations:

Can become overly abundant. Plant with caution.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seed and root cuttings. Seeds are available through the Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Aquatic ---to--- Usually moist, occasional inundation

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars

Larval host for several species of moths.





Larval host for red admiral ( Vanessa atalanta ) and eastern comma ( Polygonia comma ) butterflies.

Native Habitats:

Cypress swamps, floodplain forests, wet thickets, stream banks, marshes, wet forests, marshy shores, ditches.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This species is in the Nettle Family and looks much like stinging nettle. However, it does not have stinging hairs.