Hemp

Last updated 2026-11-10 — Hemp, also known as "fire hemp," is an annual upright single-stem plant of the Cannabaceae family. The upper and middle parts of the stem are square-shaped, while the base is round, with a rough surface and grooved texture covered in short glandular hairs. It has palmate compound leaves with 5 to 11 lanceolate leaflets that have serrated edges. The flowers are unisexual and dioecious; the male flowers form a conical inflorescence, while the female flowers are spherical or short spike-like. The fruits are oval-shaped with ridges. The seeds are dark green. The male plants have slender stems that yield a large quantity of high-quality bast fiber which matures early. Hemp fibers are white, soft, and glossy, making them a premium-grade fiber suitable for spinning alone or blending, capable of producing yarn counts above 60. It is a major raw material for various hemp textiles. The seeds contain up to 30% oil, which can be used for food consumption, as well as for paints and soap-making oils. The oil cake can serve as mixed feed and fertilizer. Hemp seeds are also a valuable traditional Chinese medicine, as well as an ingredient for dried fruit snacks, and are classified as export goods. (Zhaotong)