Hop
Family Cannabinaceae
Humulus lupulus, hop (H. lupulus 1), is a dioecious perennial vine which dies down to near ground level at the end of the season and produces new shoots or ‘bines’ each year. These shoots reach a length of 8-9 m and grow very rapidly. The leaves are deeply lobed. Male flowers inconspicuous, green, in open inflorescences; female ones or ‘ cones’ (H. lupulus 2) in a cluster of pale greenish bracts and bractioles enclosing the small flowers and fruits. Resin glands at the base of the bractioles produce lupulin and volatile oils.
Distribution
Hop is a native of the temperate regions of Europe and western Asia.
Use
Today hop is grown in many parts of the world for the female ‘ cones’ which are used in brewing beer, giving the beer its aroma and flavour. The cones are picked before pollination and dried. The fibrous stems are sometimes used for making mats. The young shoots are occasionally eaten as a vegetable.
Biggest producers of hop are Germany, Austria, Easter Europe, Russia, northern France (H. lupulus 3) and the US.