Appearance
"B. cylindrica" is a deciduous and occasionally dioecious growing plant. The plant grows to be 0.5 to 1.0 m in height with opposite leaf arrangement. Spike-like hairs are in the leaf axils. Leaves are ovate in shape and 6-8 cm in length and 3-4 cm in width. Flowers are green or greenish white in color and the flowers appear from the axils of the upper leaves. Small, oval-shaped seeds are covered in small, hook-like hairs. Once mature, the seeds are dark brown. The inflorescences resemble spikes and can be from 1-3 cm in length. Male and female flowers typically grow on separate plants. Male flowers are more prominently distributed among the spikes in bunches. The female flowers are less continuously distributed along the spikes.
Naming
The generic name "Boehmeria" honors the German botanist, Georg Rudolf Boehmer. The specific name "cylindrica" is based on its generally cylindrical spikes located in the leaf axils.
Distribution
"B. cylindrica" can be found across the North American continent into Central and South America. It is native to northeastern Canada through the majority of the United States from Maine to Florida and stretching towards South Dakota to California.Habitat
"B. cylindrica" can be found in wet to mesic deciduous woodland habitats. The plant flourishes the most in floodplain and bottomland areas."B. cylindrica" is wind pollinated, so plants are fertilized by pollen carried by the wind. Thus, the flowers do not attract many insects. Larvae of the fly "Neolasioptera boehmeriae," form small galls in the shape of spindles. Flowering season for "B. cylindrica" is during the summer to fall. During flowering season, pollen acts as an allergen to some.References:
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