Ramie
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Ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is a flowering plant in the nettle family Urticaceae, native to eastern Asia. It is a herbaceous perennial growing to 2 m tall; the leaves are heart-shaped, 7-15 cm long and 6-12 cm broad, and white on the underside with dense small hairs; unlike nettles, the hairs do not sting. It is also called silk plant, Chinese grass or rhea.
Cultivation and uses
Ramie is one of the oldest fibre crops, having been used for at least six thousand years, and is principally used for fabric production. It is a bast fibre, and the part used is the bark (phloem) of the vegetative stalks. It can sustain up to six harvests per year. Unlike other bast crops, ramie requires chemical processing to de-gum the fibre.
Ramie fibre is known especially for its ability to hold shape, reduce wrinkling, and introduce a silky lustre to the fabric look. It is not as durable as other fibres, and so is usually used as a blend with other fibres such as cotton or wool.
Ramie is also used as an ornamental plant in eastern Asia.
Today, ramie is principally produced in China, Brazil, Philippines, India, South Korea and Thailand.
External links
- Nebraska Extension Office factsheet (http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/textiles/nf45.htm)
- Australian New Crops Newsletter article (http://www.newcrops.uq.edu.au/newslett/ncn11162.htm)de:Ramie