Hemp facts & stats

Question 1

Hemp fiber mainly comes from which part of the plant?

Accepted Answer

The stalk. The long, strong fibers come from the outer layer of the hemp stalk.

Question 2

In terms of its life cycle, hemp is what kind of plant?

Accepted Answer

An annual, growing from seed in one season. Hemp is an annual plant: it sprouts, grows, flowers and sets seed within a single growing season.

Question 3

Before steel cables, sailing ships commonly used rigging made from which fiber?

Accepted Answer

Hemp. Strong hemp fiber was a main material for the ropes and rigging of sailing ships for centuries.

Question 4

Early paper in China, credited to Cai Lun around 105 CE, was made from which materials?

Accepted Answer

Hemp, tree bark and rags. Cai Lun's paper used plant fibers such as hemp, mulberry bark, old rags and fishing nets.

Question 5

Like cotton and wood, hemp fibers are made mostly of which natural substance?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose. Cellulose is the main structural material of plant cell walls, including hemp, cotton and wood fibers.

Question 6

The word 'canvas' traces back to the Latin word for which plant?

Accepted Answer

Hemp. Canvas comes via Old French from the Latin word for hemp, since sturdy canvas cloth was once made from it.

Question 7

Hemp, flax and jute are grouped together as which kind of plant fiber?

Accepted Answer

Bast fibers. Bast fibers come from the inner bark (phloem) of certain plants; cotton, by contrast, is a seed fiber.

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