Common Name:

General Information

Boehmeria grandis is a stout-branched shrub growing 1 - 7 metres tall[].
The plant was at one time cultivated in Hawaii for its bark, which was used to make cloth[].
The species is known from c. 300 collections, although most of them are more than 50 years old. There is habitat destruction on all the Hawaiian Islands, but also conservation efforts and the existence of forest reserves where many of the collections come from. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

Although members of the nettle family, plants in this genus do not have stinging hairs[].

Botanical References

Range

Pacific - Hawaii.

Habitat

Ravines and clearings in rainforest, exposed slopes and ridges, often forming dense thickets; at elevations from 130 - 1,100 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a position in woodland shade. Grows best in moist but well-drained soils.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The fibrous bark was at one time used to make a lower quality 'kapa' cloth[]. This cloth can be produced by beating strips of bark on a flat surface with a wooden mallet. A very fine cloth can be made in this way, the more the bark is beaten the finer the cloth becomes. Larger sizes can be made by overlapping 2 pieces of bark and beating them together[].

Propagation

Seed -

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