Indian hemp

American  

noun

1. a North American dogbane, Apocynum cannabinum, having erect clusters of greenish-white flowers and a root with laxative and emetic properties.

2. hemp.

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Indian hemp British  

noun

1. another name for hemp, esp the variety Cannabis indica, from which several narcotic drugs are obtained

2. Also called: dogbane.  a perennial American apocynaceous plant, Apocynum cannabinum, whose fibre was formerly used by the Indians to make rope

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Etymology

Origin of Indian hemp

An Americanism dating back to 1610–20

Example Sentences

Addressing the society, Hooke described it as “so like to hemp ... that it may be said to be only Indian hemp”.

From Nature

After weeks of monotonous green, the leaves of common milkweed and Indian hemp have taken on a soft, lemony complexion.

From New York Times

The medicinal ones are lobelia, Indian hemp, castor musk, ginseng, assafœtida, pleurisy root, Virginia snakeroot, camomile, wormwood.

From Project Gutenberg

Somewhat after the manner of the willow-herb behave the pods and seeds of willows, poplars, milkweeds, Indian hemp, and cotton.

From Project Gutenberg

He called her attention to and brought her samples of ginger leaves, Indian hemp, queen-of-the-meadow, cone-flower, burdock, baneberry, and Indian turnip, as he harvested them in turn.

From Project Gutenberg