2 genera and 3 species of erect or scandant herbs, both
annual
and perennial
Significant features:
Highly reduced, pentamerous
(5-parted),
unisexual flowers; species dioecious.
Leaves with a palmate
pattern of organization. A family of minimal floristic
significance,
but representative of the Order (herbaceous). However, due to the
presence of complex, resin producing glandular trichomes,
the family is of ethnobotanical interest
in
that both genera are associated with human intoxicants; hops
and
marijuana
and other applications (fiber, oil). Sometimes included within
the
Moraceae.
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