Ramie top

Item

Identifier

2025.08

Title

Ramie top

Description

Ramie is a plant, Boehmeria nivea (also known as Chinese Nettle, Chinese Silk Plant, China Grass, White Ramie, Green Ramie and Rhea) native to China, India and Indonesia, that has been cultivated for more than five thousand years. Today it is one of the most commonly fibers used in Japanese textiles.

The relatively high protein content of the leaves makes for a quality feed for sheep, cattle, pigs and other farm animals.

The ramie plant can be harvested up to five times per year and can exhibit a productive lifespan of 30 years.

For hand spinning, ramie fiber is similar to flax in that it can be either wet or dry spun. Wet spun fiber yields a softer yarn with a higher sheen. Dry spun fiber will produce a "hairier," low luster yarn.

Ramie fabric and ramie blend textiles should be stored flat, as the fibers are somewhat brittle and will break. Avoid excessive folding or pressing hard creases in woven ramie fabrics.

Subject

natural fiber; fiber; fibers; plant material; bast fiber

Source

Purchased from The Woolery

Copyright statement

These images are posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses may not be permitted.

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