Japanese Wild Hops

Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc.

Cannabaceae (Hemp Family)

▲▼  young vine on fence showing leaves

▲▼  mature, male plant covering a 10 foot x 10 foot area

▲▼   male vine with inflorescence

Japanese Hops, Wild Hops:

·                     an annual vine with opposite, palmately-5-lobed leaves, and downward-pointing stipules at base of leaf

·                     vine can grow 10-35 feet long in a growing season and climb by twining around objects

·                     stems and leaves are rough-textured

·                     plant is dioecious—separate male & female plants

·                     male plant has large panicle of greenish-white flowers

·                     female plant has hanging panicle of flowers and seeds in classic “hops” fruit shape (like a leafy pine-cone)

·                     found in fertile soils, cultivated fields, roadsides, stream-banks and non-crop areas

·                     is in the Cannabinaceae (Hemp Family)

·                     concern for it as an invasive, displacing weed is increasing