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

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 The Harvester by Stratton-Porter, Gene

There were pieces of thread made of Indian hemp and the inner bark of the elm.

From The Scouts of the Valley by Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)

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

From Seed Dispersal by Beal, W. J. (William James)

Here may also be mentioned, as having similar habit, artichokes, peppermint, spearmint, barberry, Indian hemp, bindweed, toadflax, matrimony vine, bugle-weed, ostrich fern, eagle fern, sensitive fern, coltsfoot, St. John'swort, sorrel, great willow-herb, and many more.

From Seed Dispersal by Beal, W. J. (William James)

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

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George