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

The ranunculaceæ contain many plants which yield alkaloids, as Hydrastia canadensis, or Indian hemp, Helleborus, Delphinum, Aconitum, and the alkaloid berberine has been obtained from genera of this family.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 623, December 10, 1887 by Various

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)

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

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)

"I judged by the analogy of Indian hemp," she answered.

From Hilda Wade, a Woman with Tenacity of Purpose by Allen, Grant