What is allo?
The Himalayan Nettle Girardinia diversifolia, locally known as allo, is virtually unknown in the international natural fibre market13. Its uses are wide-ranging and it grows in abundance all over Nepal9. Women and other producers can receive the maximum product value from allo production7 9, making it a particularly attractive enterprise for low-income producers in rural communities of Nepal.
Allo is a 1.5 to 3 metre tall16 perennial herbaceous shrub that grows without cultivation all over Nepal7. It most frequently occurs in the hilly and mountainous regions at altitudes up to 3000 m2. It grows without necessitating pesticide or fertilizer use1 and helps to prevent soil erosion15. It is a low-lying plant that prefers shaded forest areas, growing best in loamy soils rich in humus2 15.