The species include herbaceous perennials, shrubs and small trees.

Because of the similarity in appearance, some species are commonly called "false nettles".

This genus is named in honor of the German botanist, Georg Rudolf Boehmer.

[2] 14 fossil fruits of †Boehmeria sibirica have been extracted from borehole samples of the Middle Miocene fresh water deposits in Nowy Sacz Basin, West Carpathians, Poland.

As of January 2024[update], Plants of the World Online accepted the species listed below.