Definition

Noun: 1. A valuable fiber-producing plant: Specifically, a plant (Crotalaria juncea) native to the East Indies but now widely cultivated in tropical regions for its strong, durable bast fiber, used for making cordage, sacking, and paper.

Usage Notes

• "Bombay hemp" is a common name for the plant species . It is not a true hemp (which is ).
• The term is primarily used in agricultural, botanical, and textile manufacturing contexts to refer to the plant as a commercial crop for its fiber.
• It is often discussed in comparison to other fiber crops like jute, true hemp, or sisal.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Farmers in the region have switched from cotton to cultivating Bombay hemp for its resilience and high yield.
  • The strong fibers from Bombay hemp are ideal for manufacturing durable ropes and twine.
  • The study compared the tensile strength of fibers derived from jute and Bombay hemp.

Advanced Usage

• As a cover crop: In addition to being a fiber source, is also planted as a green manure or cover crop to improve soil fertility and prevent erosion.
  • The field was planted with Bombay hemp not for harvest, but to enrich the soil with nitrogen before the next cash crop.

Variants and Related Words

• Sunn hemp: The most common alternative name for the same plant ().
• Indian hemp: A name sometimes used, but this can cause confusion with other plants, including true hemp () and the North American plant .
• Crotalaria juncea: The formal botanical/Latin name.
• Bast fiber: The type of plant fiber (phloem fiber) obtained from the stems of plants like Bombay hemp, jute, flax, and hemp.

Synonyms

• Sunn hemp
• (botanical name)

Related Terms (Contextual)

• Fiber crop: A plant cultivated primarily for its fibers (e.g., cotton, jute, flax, hemp).
• Cordage: A general term for ropes, cords, and strings made from twisted fibers.
• Green manure: A crop plowed into the soil to improve its quality.

Noun

1. valuable fiber plant of East Indies now widespread in cultivation