Hemp
HEMP
Hemp, common name for an Asian annual herb (see Cannabis), and also for its strong, pliable fibers. This species is often called true hemp or Indian hemp. It is cultivated in Eurasia, the United States, and Chile. A hemp plant may be as small as 91 cm (36 in) or as high as 5 m (15 ft), depending upon the climate and soil type. The male plants bear flowers in axillary racemes and die soon after pollination. Female plants bear flowers in short, crowded spikes and die soon after the seed matures. Plants of both sexes are used for fiber.
Hemp stems are hollow and have a fibrous inner bark. The fibers from this bark are used to make a great variety of textile products, including coarse fabrics, ropes, sailcloth, and packing cloth. Soft fibers, used for making clothing fabrics in Asia, are obtained from hemp harvested at the time of pollination; strong, coarse fibers are obtained from mature plants. The fibers are removed and processed by methods similar to those used in processing flax. Partially decomposed, the stalks are dried, broken, and shaken to separate the woody stalks from the fibers.
The seed of hemp is commonly used as birdseed. Hempseed also yields an oil, called oil of hemp, used in the manufacture of soap and oil paints. A resin, called charas, produced by female flower heads and seeds of hemp, is used in narcotic smoking mixtures in India. Flowers and leaves of hemp are used to produce the narcotics bhang, hashish, and marijuana.
Unrelated plants that are commonly called hemp include henequen, sisal, bowstring hemp, and Manila hemp (see Banana). Sunn hemp is obtained from a leguminous herb native to India.
Scientific classification: Hemp belongs to the family Moraceae. It is classified as Cannabis sativa. Henequen, sisal, and bowstring hemp belong to the family Agavaceae. Manila hemp belongs to the family Musaceae. Sunn hemp belongs to the subfamily Papilionoideae, in the family Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae), and is classified as Crotalaria juncea
Hemp, common name for an Asian annual herb (see Cannabis), and also for its strong, pliable fibers. This species is often called true hemp or Indian hemp. It is cultivated in Eurasia, the United States, and Chile. A hemp plant may be as small as 91 cm (36 in) or as high as 5 m (15 ft), depending upon the climate and soil type. The male plants bear flowers in axillary racemes and die soon after pollination. Female plants bear flowers in short, crowded spikes and die soon after the seed matures. Plants of both sexes are used for fiber.
Hemp stems are hollow and have a fibrous inner bark. The fibers from this bark are used to make a great variety of textile products, including coarse fabrics, ropes, sailcloth, and packing cloth. Soft fibers, used for making clothing fabrics in Asia, are obtained from hemp harvested at the time of pollination; strong, coarse fibers are obtained from mature plants. The fibers are removed and processed by methods similar to those used in processing flax. Partially decomposed, the stalks are dried, broken, and shaken to separate the woody stalks from the fibers.
The seed of hemp is commonly used as birdseed. Hempseed also yields an oil, called oil of hemp, used in the manufacture of soap and oil paints. A resin, called charas, produced by female flower heads and seeds of hemp, is used in narcotic smoking mixtures in India. Flowers and leaves of hemp are used to produce the narcotics bhang, hashish, and marijuana.
Unrelated plants that are commonly called hemp include henequen, sisal, bowstring hemp, and Manila hemp (see Banana). Sunn hemp is obtained from a leguminous herb native to India.
Scientific classification: Hemp belongs to the family Moraceae. It is classified as Cannabis sativa. Henequen, sisal, and bowstring hemp belong to the family Agavaceae. Manila hemp belongs to the family Musaceae. Sunn hemp belongs to the subfamily Papilionoideae, in the family Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae), and is classified as Crotalaria juncea
