Humulaceae

Humulaceae is a historic or obsolete plant family that was used in some 19th- and early 20th-century classifications to include the genus Humulus, best known for the hops plant. In contemporary taxonomy, Humulus and Cannabis are placed in the family Cannabaceae, and Humulaceae is no longer recognized as a distinct family in major systems such as APG IV.

Genera and species commonly associated with Humulaceae were typically monogeneric, with Humulus as the principal genus. The best-known species is Humulus lupulus, the common hop, and other members such as Humulus japonicus (Japanese hops) have been described in various classifications.

Description and characteristics can be summarized from the perspective of Humulus: climbing, herbaceous to woody vines with leaves that are often palmately lobed and have serrated margins. The plants are dioecious, producing separate male and female inflorescences. The conspicuous female inflorescence forms the cone-like hop clusters that are cultivated for use in brewing; male inflorescences appear as slender panicles.

Distribution and habitat: Plants historically placed in Humulaceae are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly Europe and Asia, and are cultivated or naturalized in other regions.

Uses and significance: The primary economic value associated with Humulus is the hop cone, used to flavor and stabilize beer. The relationship of Humulus to Cannabis within Cannabaceae is a factor in historical classification, contributing to the eventual dissolution of Humulaceae as a separate family in modern systems.