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Chinese nettle (Boehmeria nivea), or white ramie (ramie) is a famous perennial of the Nettle family. In its natural habitat, the plant grows in Asian countries.
People have long appreciated the strength of white ramie fibers, so from the 4th century BC. e. Chinese nettle was widely used for twisting ropes
Botanical description of the plant
White ramie (Asian nettle) has an external resemblance to the dioecious nettle, which is familiar to most Europeans. A perennial dwarf shrub is distinguished by its larger size and the following external features:
- powerful root system;
- stems erect, even, tree-like, pubescent, but not burning;
- stem length from 0.9 m to 2 m;
- leaves are alternate and opposite, pubescent on the underside (detailed difference from green ramie, Indian nettle);
- the shape of the leaves is round, drop-shaped, with marginal teeth, with loose stipules, on long petioles;
- leaf length up to 10 cm;
- the color of the upper part of the leaves is dark green;
- the color of the lower part of the leaves is white, pubescent;
- inflorescences spike-shaped, paniculate or racemose;
- flowers are monoecious, unisexual (female and male), small in size;
- male flowers with 3-5-lobed perianth, with 3-5 stamens, collected in a ball;
- female flowers with tubular 2-4 dentate perianth, spherical or clavate pistil;
- fruit - achene with small seeds.
During flowering, male flowers are concentrated at the bottom of the inflorescences, and female flowers are at the top of the shoot.
Interestingly, bast fibers are located in the bark of the stem in the form of numerous bundles.
The international scientific name Boehmeria has been assigned to Chinese nettles since 1760
What is also the name of Chinese nettle
In ancient times, people noticed the burning properties of the ground part of the grass, so all the popular names are consonant with some qualities. In different countries, people gave the plant almost identical names: "Zhigalka", "Zhaliva", "Zhigilivka", "Zhiguchka".
The Russian-language name takes its roots in the Old Slavonic language: "kopriva", "kropiva". Various lexical connections can be seen with Serbian, Croatian and Polish. Translated from these languages, "nettle" sounds like "boiling water".
Chinese (Boehmeria nivea) nettle is a perennial herb that also has many different names:
- ramie;
- ramie white;
- snow-white bemeria;
- Chinese;
- asian.
The Mexicans praised the fabric made of Chinese nettle fibers for its silky sheen, while the British and the people of the Netherlands appreciated its durability.
Distribution area
In its natural habitat, the plant grows in the eastern part of Asia (tropics, subtropics). Japan and China are considered the homeland of Asian nettles.
Chinese fiber nettle has served as a raw material for weaving production for a long time. BC e. white ramie fiber was made in Japan and China.
Europe and America learned what ramie, Asian nettle, looks like, much later. Gradually, people began to grow technical crops for industrial purposes in France, Mexico, Russia.
It is known that delicate but durable fabrics from Chinese (Boehmeria nivea) nettle were brought to Russia during the reign of Elizabeth I. At the same time, material from Asian white ramie won the hearts of fashionistas in France, England, Holland and the Netherlands. It is known that in fashionable French tailoring workshops, fabric from the island of Java was called "batiste".
In Cuba and Colombia, white ramie is grown as livestock feed.From the shoots of Chinese nettle (up to 50 cm in height), protein meal is obtained, which is used to feed poultry, horses, cows, pigs, other livestock and poultry.
By the early 19th century, Chinese nettle was cultivated in Europe and America.
Industrial applications
Chinese nettle has been known as a spinning crop for a long time. The plant has been used by humans for more than 6 thousand years for the production of ultra-strong and moisture-resistant natural fabrics. It is believed that white ramie is one of the lightest and most delicate materials. At the same time, Chinese nettle is twice as strong as flax, five times stronger than cotton.
White ramie fibers are characterized by significant sizes: the length of the stems is from 15 cm to 40 cm, compared to linen (maximum length 3.3 cm) and hemp (maximum length 2.5 cm) fibers.
The fiber diameter of the Chinese (Boehmeria nivea) nettle reaches from 25 microns to 75 microns.
Each separately taken white ramie fiber can withstand a load of up to 20 grams (for comparison: a fairly strong cotton one - only up to 7 grams).
The natural color of Asian fibers is white. The impeccable texture allows you to easily apply any color without losing the natural shine and silkiness. Most often on an industrial scale for the production of modern fabrics, white ramie is mixed with natural fibers of silk, mercerized cotton and viscose.
In the old days, Chinese nettle fabric was woven by hand. Today, modern machines are used to produce eco-friendly materials.
Due to its unique natural properties, ramie is a versatile raw material for the production of:
- denim fabrics;
- sails;
- ropes;
- high quality paper for printing banknotes;
- elite fabrics (as an additive);
- linen fabrics;
- technical fabrics.
The main global manufacturers of white ramie in the modern world are South Korea, Thailand, Brazil, China
Beneficial features
White ramie is a unique spinning culture, the beneficial properties of which were used as early as the 4th century BC. e. Nettle has many benefits:
- breathability;
- moisture absorption;
- moisture yield;
- bactericidal properties;
- high level of strength;
- tear resistance;
- torsion resistance;
- sufficient level of elasticity;
- not susceptibility to decay processes;
- lends itself well to staining;
- does not lose silkiness after staining;
- goes well with wool and cotton fibers;
- clothes made from fiber do not shrink or stretch, retain their shape.
Pictured is ramie, Asian nettle. Its stems are mowed before flowering 2-3 times a year for the subsequent production of high-quality, natural, environmentally friendly raw materials. The first collection of shoots to obtain fibers is carried out in the second season after planting. The next 5-10 years, the perennial gives stable yields:
- 1 ton per hectare for the third year;
- 1.5 tons per hectare for the fourth and subsequent years.
The shoots of the first year produce relatively coarse raw materials.
Today, France, Germany, England and Japan are recognized as the leading importers of Chinese ramie nettle.
Conclusion
To this day, Chinese nettle is considered a valuable raw material for the production of elite quality eco-textiles. In addition, many domestic gardeners grow ramie as an exotic ornamental plant. Asian nettle fits effectively into various stylistic directions of landscape design.
