Laportea macrostachya -

Family:	Urticaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.75
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - Japan.

Laportea macrostachya () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.75m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Laportea macrostachya will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Laportea macrostachya prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Laportea macrostachya can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Woods in mountains, N. Japan[58].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this plant and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its habitat it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. It should succeed in most soils in semi-shade.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Young leaves - cooked[105, 116]. Very nutritious, they have a peculiar sweetness[116]. Some caution should be observed when harvesting this plant since the raw leaves have stinging hairs. It is perfectly safe to eat the leaves when they are cooked, however, since heat completely destroys the sting[K].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Known Hazards

The leaves have stinging hairs, much like stinging nettles to which they are related.

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the stem is used for making nets, cordage etc[46, 61, 159]. It is up to 50 times stronger than cotton[123].

• Fibre - Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

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