Humulus lupulus

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Common hop
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Cannabaceae Genus: Humulus Species: H. lupulus
Binomial name
Humulus lupulus L.

Humulus lupulus (Common hop) is a species of Humulus in the Cannabaceae family.

Common hop is a dioecious, perennial herbaceous climbing plant which sends up new shoots in early spring and dies back to the cold-hardy rhizome in autumn. It is native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere.

The flower cones of the plant, known as hops are used in the production of beer to impart bitterness, flavor, and for their preservative qualities.

[edit] Varieties

There are five varieties of this species (Humulus lupulus):

• H. lupulus var. lupulus. – Europe, western Asia.
• H. lupulus var. cordifolius. – Eastern Asia.
• H. lupulus var. lupuloides (syn. H. americanus). – Eastern North America.
• H. lupulus var. neomexicanus. – Western North America.
• H. lupulus var. pubescens. – Midwest North America.

Common names of popular beer brewing hop varieties:

♦Cascade ♦Hallertau ♦Target ♦Liberty ♦Willamette ♦Magnum ♦Kent Golding ♦Saaz

[edit] External links

• Purdue University article
• Botanical.com - a wealth of information on the Hops plant and its past and modern uses
• Armeniapedia.org - Medicinal uses of hops in Armenia
• 2005-10-25 Oregon State University Anti-cancer Compound in Beer Gaining Interest