What is hemp?

The hemp plant, also called cannabis, belongs to one of the most developed plant families on earth. Hemp belongs to the cannabaceae, a plant family to which hops also belongs.  It is, similar to hops, a dioecious plant, meaning that it posseses both male or female reproductive organs. Naturally there are also intersexual hybrids. Grown for a year, the roots of this unique plant can reach up to 2 meters far into the ground. Hemp uses sunlight more efficiently than any other plant does  and, with just a short growing period of just about a year, ‘can reach heights between 1,5 – 7 metres.

The Hemp plant morphology – „Cannabis Sativa“.

1. Male inflorescence.
2. Female inflorescence.
3. Seedling.
4. Single lamina of the digitiform leaf.
5. Male blossom.
6. Female blossom enclosed by bracteole.
7. Nut enclosed in firm haired shell.
8. Nut viewed from the broad perspective.
9. Nut viewed from the flat perspective.
10. Glandular hair with four-celled stem.
11. Glandular hair with short, single-celled not visible stem.
12. Hair without geode and cystholith.

Diagram by E. W. Smith.