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False Nettle

Boehmeria cylindrica

Found in swamp forests, bottomland forests, bogs, tidal marshes, other marshes, other wetlands. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

40
Good

Native to West Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 94%

Height
3 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Usually moist
Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
July to August
Fruiting season
September to October

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 17 West Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 3

Swamps

The Chickahominy Swamp LCCN2004661405
William McIlvaine, The Chickahominy Swamp (1862): wind-tossed swamp trees standing in dark water under a storm. Shown: Chickahominy Swamp, Virginia, a neighboring state.The Chickahominy Swamp LCCN2004661405, William McIlvaine (1813-1867), 1862. Public domain. Source record. scaled to 1280 x 909 by the Wikimedia thumbnailer from 6171 x 4382; no crop or other change

Floodplain and bottomland forests

Forests on low ground beside rivers and streams that flood from time to time.

Freshwater marshes

Open, herb-covered wetlands with fresh, non-tidal water.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in West Virginia. Shared habitat, not food. 89 animals.

Widespread birds also seen here (47)

Found in many habitats here, so not listed above.

All wildlife of West Virginia

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

10CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV

Genus host records with ranges including WV · Boehmeria

  • Polygonia interrogationisQuestion Mark
  • Vanessa atalantaRed Admiral
  • Condylorrhiza vestigialisThe Alamo Moth
  • Estigmene acreaSalt Marsh Moth, Acrea Moth
  • Euptoieta claudiaVariegated Fritillary, (?)Gulf Fritillary
  • Hypena manalisFlowing-Line Bomolocha, Flowing-Line Snout
  • Pilocrocis ramentalisScraped Pilocrocis
  • Polygonia commaEastern Comma
  • Vanessa carduiPainted Lady, Cosmopolite
  • Herpetogramma aquilonalis
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
2BirdsRecorded eating Boehmeria in West Virginia

Diet records by plant genus, from studies across North America. Not a record from this state. Birds whose range includes West Virginia, most records first.

Avian Diet Database (Hurlbert Lab)

Direct food only. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Birds that eat Boehmeria 2

Diet records by plant genus, from studies across North America. Not a record from this state. Avian Diet Database (Hurlbert Lab), CC0 1.0.

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Urticaceae
Hardiness
Zones 4a–10b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Green or white
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Grows in clumps
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
September
Fruit ends
October

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

West Virginia rankS5
Global rankG5
WV statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

Will it fit your yard?

Check this plant against your county, sun and soil moisture. Conditions are checked in your browser.

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How to check your spot

Sources