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ramie fabric

textile
Also known as: China linen, grass cloth, grass linen

Quick Summary

Ramie is a strong, lustrous bast fiber derived from the Boehmeria nivea plant, native to China. This perennial plant produces stalks from which long, pure white fibers are extracted. Ramie fiber is known for its strength, exceeding that of flax, cotton, or wool.12

When spun into yarn and woven into textiles, ramie fabric is easily laundered, gains strength when wet, and resists shrinking or losing its shape. It also dries quickly and becomes smoother with repeated washing, while being resistant to mildew and sunlight. Ramie fabric has a history of use since prehistoric times in East Asia and was known in Europe during the Middle Ages. Despite its desirable properties, the laborious and expensive processing required for ramie has limited its widespread modern use.1

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3 Britannica Sources
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  3. bast fiber

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