CANNABACEAE - Hemp Family
Herbs, mostly dioecious
Leaves opposite, palmately
compound or simple
Flowers in complex infls. which are axillary to upper reduced leaves,
unisexual, wind-pollinated
Economic uses
Humulus - hops - brewing beer, hops contains compounds
that precipitate proteins and give beer its characteristic flavor.
Indian Pale Ale is one beer that was brewed with high alcohol content
and hops content so that it would survive shipment to warm climates
such as India.
Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa - hemp - is used to
make high quality paper and fabrics. The original Levis were
constructed from sails, which were made from hemp. Hemp is more
durable than cotton but its cultivation is prohibited in the U.S.A.
because of fears concerning marijuana cultivation.