| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Clade | Tracheophytes |
| Clade | Angiosperms |
| Clade | Eudicots |
| Clade | Rosids |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Cannabaceae |
| Genera | ~11 |
| Species | ~120 |
Cannabaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Rosales. The family is perhaps best known for containing Cannabis , but it also includes hops (Humulus), hackberries (Celtis), and several other genera. Despite the name, the family extends well beyond cannabis — it contains around 11 genera and approximately 120 species.
Notable Genera
Cannabis
The genus Cannabis contains the species most familiar to this wiki: Cannabis Sativa , Cannabis Indica , and Cannabis Ruderalis . Cannabis has been cultivated for thousands of years for fiber (hemp ), seed, medicine, and recreational use.
Humulus (Hops)
Hops are the closest living relative to cannabis. The genus Humulus contains three species, with Humulus lupulus (common hops) being the most well-known. Hops are a key ingredient in beer, providing bitterness and aroma. Like cannabis, hops produce aromatic terpenes — both plants share several terpene compounds, including humulene , which was actually named after Humulus.
Celtis (Hackberries)
The largest genus in the family, Celtis contains around 70 species of trees and shrubs found worldwide. Hackberries produce small edible fruits and are commonly used as shade and street trees. Their inclusion in Cannabaceae is relatively recent — they were previously classified in the elm family (Ulmaceae) before molecular studies placed them here.
Cannabis and Hops: Surprising Cousins
Cannabis and hops share a surprising amount of biology:
- Both are dioecious (separate male and female plants), though hops cultivated for brewing are exclusively female
- Both produce resinous, aromatic glands rich in terpenes
- Both have been used by humans for thousands of years
- They share common terpenes like humulene and myrcene
- Both are fast-growing, herbaceous, climbing or upright plants
Despite these similarities, the two genera diverged an estimated 25–28 million years ago.
Classification History
The family has undergone significant reclassification. Traditionally, Cannabaceae was a small family containing only Cannabis and Humulus. Molecular phylogenetic studies in the late 20th and early 21st centuries expanded the family to include genera previously placed in other families, most notably Celtis from Ulmaceae and Trema from various placements.