Hop

Description

It is a dioecious, perennial, herbaceous climbing plant which sends up new shoots in early spring and dies back to a cold-hardy rhizome in autumn. These shoots allow the plant to grow anywhere from 4.6 to 6.1 metres (15 to 20 ft). Hops have fragrant, wind-pollinated flowers that attract butterflies.

The female cone shaped fruits from the plant are used by breweries as a component of beer, to preserve and flavour beer, and so the plant is widely cultivated for use by the brewing industry. The fragrant flower cones, known as hops, impart a bitter flavour, and also have aromatic and preservative qualities. The Plant can grow tall and because it is a perennial herbaceous plant it goes through several growing seasons sometimes living up to 20 years.