All plant species
3 species
NECotton
Gossypium hirsutum L.
Malvaceae family
Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a crop of the family Malvaceae and the source of the world’s single most important textile fibre. Native to Mexico and Central America and domesticated long ago, it is now the most widely grown cotton species, accounting for most global production. The fibre is almost pure cellulose; the seeds yield edible oil after refining but contain gossypol, a toxic compound once studied as a male contraceptive.
NEJute
Corchorus olitorius L.
Malvaceae family
Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.), also called Tossa jute, is an annual herb of the family Malvaceae and the source of a bast fibre that ranks second only to cotton in natural-fibre production. Native to tropical Africa and/or South Asia (still debated), it was domesticated for fibre mainly in India and Bangladesh. Jute is strong, cheap and biodegradable and is used for sacking, burlap, carpet backing, ropes, pulp and eco-friendly materials; the young leaves (jute mallow, molokhia) are edible, while the seeds contain cardiac glycosides (corchorin) and are not eaten.
NERamie
Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich.
Nettle family
Ramie (Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich.), also called China grass, is a perennial herb of the family Urticaceae and the source of one of the oldest natural fibres. Native to East and South-East Asia, it was domesticated for fibre more than 6,000 years ago in China. The fibre is a bast fibre taken from the stem bark and is mainly cellulose; it stands out for high strength, natural lustre, low elongation and resistance to fungi and rot, and is therefore woven into premium fabric, load-bearing cordage, geotextiles and technical papers.