Hemp (Family Cannabaceae)

 

Cannabaceae is a small family of flowering plants. According to the

Royal Botanical Gardens database, there are 170 species grouped in

nine to fifteen genera, including three well-known genera Cannabis

(hemp), Humulus (hops) and Celtis (hackberries). Celtis is by far the

largest genus, counting 60-70 species. Until recently, genus Celtis was

placed in the Ulmaceae family; however, analysis by the Angiosperm

Phylogeny Group members suggests that Celtis is better placed in the

related family Cannabaceae. Celtis (Hackberry) is widespread in warm

temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, in southern Europe,

southern and eastern Asia, and southern and central North America,

south to central Africa, and South America.

 

Hop (Humulus lupulus) is cultivated for its fruits which contain aro-

matic substances used in the production of beer. Its young shoots are

used as vegetable. Different subspecies of hemp (Cannabis sativa)

are cultivated for the production of fiber, as a source of cheap oil, for

the nutritious seeds, or to produce recreational or medical cannabis.

Both hops and cannabis contain antimicrobial substances. This is why

hops extract is used in natural deodorants. Cannabinoids in cannabis

are effective at killing MRSA drug-resistant bacteria.

 

 

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