Practical
Plants

Laportea macrostachya

a perennial member of the Laportea genus in the family Urticaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.75 m

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - cooked[1][2]. Very nutritious, they have a peculiar sweetness[2]. 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].

Plant part
Leaves

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A fibre obtained from the stem is used for making nets, cordage etc[5][7][4]. It is up to 50 times stronger than cotton[3].

Product or use
Fibre

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat
Woods in mountains, N. Japan[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00

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  3. ? Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th edition.

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  4. McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-253-28925-4

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  5. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  6. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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  7. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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