Ramie
Ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is a flowering plant in the nettle family Urticaceae, native to eastern Asia. It is a herbaceous perennial growing to 1–2.5 m tall.
| Ramie | |
|---|---|
| File:Boehmeria nivea 1.jpg | |
| Scientific classification e | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Urticaceae |
| Genus: | Boehmeria |
| Species: | B. nivea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Boehmeria nivea | |
Ramie is one of the oldest fibre crops, used for at least six thousand years. It is mainly used for fabric production. Ramie is normally harvested two to three times a year but under good growing conditions can be harvested up to six times per year.[1] Unlike other fibre crops, ramie needs chemical processing to de-gum the fibre.
Producers
China leads in the production of ramie and exports mainly to Japan and Europe. Other producers include Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Brazil.[2] Only a small percentage of the ramie produced is available on the international market. Japan, Germany, France and the UK are the main importers, the remaining supply is used domestically.[1]
Ramie Media
- Preparing of Ramie 35 Fiber for weaving PP01.11.021D.035.jpg
Preparing ramie fiber for weaving, The Story of Ramie From Seed to Finished Garment, c. 1820
- Banh gai 3.jpg
Vietnamese glutinous rice cake, Bánh gai. Ramie leaf extract gives the outer layer its dark green color. Because of its resemblance to this outer layer of Vietnamese rice cake, the caramelized ripe fig candy was called "Ramie Fig".
Japanese hakama from ramie fiber
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Beda Ricklin Swicofil AG Textile Services. "Swicofil". Swicofil. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
- ↑ "Britannica Online". Britannica.com. Retrieved 2013-11-09.