Hops

The birth flower for October 28 is Hop (Humulus lupulus).

Hop (Humulus lupulus) is a perennial climbing herb native to Central Asia, belonging to the genus Humulus of the hemp family (Cannabaceae). The immature female flowers are used as an additive in beer brewing.
Beer is made from barley and water, but hops are added to reduce the sweetness of the malted barley.
Its Japanese name, “Seiyō Karahanasō”, is rarely used. In Japan, wild hops grow naturally in Hokkaido.

The vine grows 7–10 m long, twining as it extends.
The leaves are oval, later divided into three or five lobes, with serrated margins, and arranged oppositely.
Hops are dioecious, having separate male and female plants.
From July to September, female plants produce cone-like structures (called strobiles, though they are not true flowers).
At the base of the bracts are glands containing lupulin, which holds alpha acids and essential oils that contribute bitterness and aroma to beer, as well as antibacterial and foaming properties. Only the unpollinated female strobiles are used, so male plants are removed.
Although hop cones resemble pine cones, they are clusters of flowers rather than fruits.

Flower Language:
“Injustice,” “Hope,” “Innocence.”

Etymology:
The genus name Humulus derives from the Old Germanic “Humela” (fruit-bearing plant) or the Swedish “Humle” (hop).
The species epithet lupulus comes from the Latin “lupus” (wolf), referring to the resemblance of hop flowers to a wolf’s face.

Related Species:
Japanese hop (Humulus lupulus var. cordifolius)

General Information:
Common name: Hop
Scientific name: Humulus lupulus
Synonym: Seiyō Karahanasō (西洋唐花草)
Classification: Kingdom Plantae – Angiosperms – Dicotyledons – Order Rosales – Family Cannabaceae – Genus Humulus – Species H. lupulus
Origin: Central Asia
Vine length: 7–10 m
Leaf shape: oval, 3-lobed; margin: serrated; arrangement: opposite
Dioecious; Blooming season: July–September
Female inflorescence: short spike; Female flower: light green cone (strobile); only unpollinated flowers are used in beer
Male inflorescence: panicle, 7–10 cm long; Male flower: yellow-green, 0.5 cm wide, petal-less
Fruit: achene, spherical, 0.3 cm long, gray, 1 seed
Lifespan: 20 years
Pollination: wind-pollinated
Uses: beer brewing, ornamental cut flowers, medicinal purposes, and green curtains.

Related Pages:
Hop (Humulus lupulus)
October Birth Flowers

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