Cannabaceae is a small family of flowering plants, commonly known as the hemp family[1][2]. Here are the key details about Cannabaceae:

Classification and Taxonomy

Cannabaceae belongs to the order Rosales[1]. The family includes approximately 170 species grouped into about 11 genera[1][3]. The main genera in this family are:

– Cannabis (hemp)
– Humulus (hops)
– Celtis (hackberries)

Celtis is the largest genus, containing about 100 species[1].

Characteristics

Members of the Cannabaceae family exhibit diverse characteristics:

– Growth forms: Can be trees, erect herbs, or twining herbs[1]
– Leaves: Often palmately lobed or compound, with stipules[1]
– Flowers: Typically small, wind-pollinated, and lacking petals[1][2]
– Fruits: Usually dry, one-seeded achenes or drupes[2]

Many Cannabaceae species are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants[1].

Economic Importance

The most economically significant genera in Cannabaceae are:

1. Cannabis: Used for hemp fiber, seeds, oils, medicinal purposes, and as a recreational drug[4]
2. Humulus: Primarily used in beer production[4]
3. Celtis: Valued for timber and ornamental purposes[2]

Evolutionary History

Cannabaceae likely originated in East Asia during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 94-90 million years ago[1][3]. Fossils indicate that the family was widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere during the early Cenozoic era, later shifting towards more tropical regions due to climate changes[1][3].

Interesting Facts

– Cannabis and hops (Humulus) are genetically related, both belonging to the Cannabaceae family[4]
– The family was previously classified under the order Urticales but is now placed within Rosales based on molecular data[1]
– Some Cannabaceae species have been used in traditional medicine[4]

Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabaceae
[2] https://www.britannica.com/plant/Cannabaceae
[3] https://www.gbif.org/species/165599050
[4] https://herbliz.de/en/blog/cbd-dictionary/cannabaceae/
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis
[6] https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Family.aspx?id=57
[7] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cannabaceae
[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/cannabaceae