Urticaceae

Urticaceae

The Urticaceae is a family of flowering plants, also known as the nettle family. This family includes a number of well-known and useful plants, including the nettles, ramie, and ajlai. The Urticaceae family is distributed throughout the world, apart from the polar regions and deserts.

Description[edit | edit source]

Members of the Urticaceae family are often herbaceous plants, but can also include shrubs and small trees. The leaves are usually simple and are often covered with stinging hairs. The flowers are small and unisexual, and the fruit is typically an achene.

Taxonomy[edit | edit source]

The Urticaceae family is included in the order Rosales, and is divided into four subfamilies: Urticoideae, Cecropioideae, Elatostematoideae, and Boehmerioideae. There are about 54 genera and 2625 known species in this family.

Distribution and habitat[edit | edit source]

Urticaceae are found all over the world, from the tropics to the arctic regions. They are typically found in a variety of habitats, including forests, scrub, and disturbed ground.

Uses[edit | edit source]

Many species within the Urticaceae family have been used for food, medicine, and fiber. For example, the nettle has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries, and ramie is used to produce a strong, silky fiber.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Urticaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, information retrieval. Version: 9 March 2006. http://delta-intkey.com
Urticaceae in the Flora of North America
Urticaceae in the Flora of China
Urticaceae at the USDA
Urticaceae at the NCBI
Urticaceae at the ITIS

Urticaceae Resources
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