Herb latin name: Laportea macrostachya


Family: Urticaceae (Nettle Family)



Edible parts of Laportea macrostachya:

Young leaves - cooked. Very nutritious, they have a peculiar sweetness. 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.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
75 cm
(2 feet)

Habitat of the herb:

Woods in mountains, N. Japan.

Other uses of Laportea macrostachya:

A fibre obtained from the stem is used for making nets, cordage etc. It is up to 50 times stronger than cotton.

Propagation of the herb:

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 of Laportea macrostachya:

Woods in mountains, N. Japan.

Medicinal use of the herb:

None known

Known hazards of Laportea macrostachya:

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

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.