indian hemp
Noun 1. A North American plant (Apocynum cannabinum): A perennial herb native to North America, also known as Canadian dogbane. It yields a tough fiber historically used by Native Americans for making cordage, twine, and nets. It has also been used in folk medicine. 2. A fiber plant of the East Indies (Cannabis sativa): The common hemp plant, originally from Asia but now widespread in cultivation. It is a valuable source of fiber for textiles, rope, and paper. 3. A source of narcotic drugs: Refers to the same Cannabis sativa plant as a source of the psychoactive substances bhang and hashish.
- The fibers from Indian hemp were traditionally used to make fishing nets.
- Indian hemp is cultivated in many regions for its strong, durable fiber.
- Some varieties of Indian hemp are grown for their narcotic properties.
- The term Indian hemp can be ambiguous in modern usage, as it refers to two distinct botanical species (Apocynum and Cannabis) with different primary uses. Context usually clarifies the meaning.
- In historical or ethnobotanical texts, Indian hemp most often refers to the native North American plant used for fiber by Indigenous peoples.
- In contexts discussing drug policy or agriculture, Indian hemp typically refers to the Cannabis plant.
- Dogbane (n): Another common name for Apocynum cannabinum.
- Hemp (n): The more common general term for Cannabis sativa, especially when referring to its fiber.
- Cannabis (n): The scientific genus name for the plant that produces hemp fiber and narcotic substances.
- For : Canadian hemp, rheumatism weed, American hemp.
- For : hemp, marijuana (for drug varieties), cannabis.
This word has three distinct meanings based on different botanical referents: 1. A North American native plant (Apocynum) used for fiber and folk medicine. 2. The common hemp plant (Cannabis) used for industrial fiber. 3. The common hemp plant (Cannabis) as a source of narcotic drugs.
The correct meaning is determined entirely by the context in which the word is used.
- Canadian dogbane yielding a tough fiber used as cordage by Native Americans; used in folk medicine for pain or inflammation in joints
- valuable fiber plant of East Indies now widespread in cultivation
- source of e.g. bhang and hashish as well as fiber