Cannabaceae
	Genera : 2 Species: 3   To Genus Directories: Cannabis Humulus

Distribution: North temperate regions.

Economic Uses: As the source of hops used in brewing beer and as the source of marijuana, hashish and hemp fiber. The family has a long history of association with humans, which has resulted in many various cultivars.

Defining Features of Interest: Sometimes placed in the Urticaceae, the genera do not have a milky latex, and are five -merous instead of four -merous.

Fossil Evidence:No known fossil record.

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Actinomorphic and unisexual. Flowers are small and borne on an inflorescence of axillary panicles or spikes which rise above the leaves. Hypogynous.

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit an achene. Seeds with scanty endosperm.

Vegetative Features : Habit is as a vigourous herb, either twining or erect, with strong stem fibers. Leaves are compound or palmately lobed and either alternate or opposite. Stipules are present.