Is madras hemp related to cannabis?

No. Despite the name 'hemp', it is a different plant (*Crotalaria juncea*) and contains no psychoactive compounds.

Where does the name 'madras hemp' come from?

It originates from Madras, a major port city (now Chennai) in India, from where the fibre was historically exported.

Is madras hemp still grown today?

Yes, but it is almost universally referred to as 'sunn hemp' in modern agriculture, where it is used for fibre and as a soil-improving cover crop.

Can you make clothing from madras hemp?

Traditionally, its coarse fibre was used for ropes, sacks, and canvases, not for fine clothing. Modern processing can create blended textiles.

madras hemp

Very Low

UK/ˌmædrəs ˈhemp/US/ˌmædrəs ˈhemp/

Technical (Botany, Agriculture, Historical Trade)

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A plant, *Crotalaria juncea*, cultivated in South Asia for its durable bast fibre, used in making rope, cordage, and coarse fabrics.

The coarse, strong fibre obtained from the madras hemp plant; also known historically as 'sunn hemp'.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

An archaic or historical term; a specific fibre crop. In modern botanical and agricultural contexts, the name 'sunn hemp' is more standard. It is not a true hemp (genus *Cannabis*) but was used similarly.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Historically more likely to appear in British imperial trade documents (e.g., from colonial India). In modern use, both varieties of English would use 'sunn hemp' in technical writing.

Connotations

Historical, colonial-era trade.

Frequency

Extremely rare in both varieties, primarily found in historical texts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

cultivate madras hempfibre of madras hemp

medium

rope from madras hemptrade in madras hemp

weak

coarse madras hempfields of madras hemp

Grammar

Valency Patterns

The +N + from + madras hemp

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

*Crotalaria juncea*

Neutral

sunn hemp

Weak

Indian hemp fibrebast fibre

Vocabulary

Antonyms

synthetic fibrecotton

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“[No established idioms]”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Virtually never used in modern business.

Academic

Found in historical botanical or agricultural papers.

Everyday

Not used in everyday conversation.

Technical

An archaic term; 'sunn hemp' is the modern technical term.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

madras-hemp cordage

American English

madras hemp rope

Examples

By CEFR Level

[Not applicable for A2 level]

[Not applicable for B1 level]

Madras hemp was an important crop for rope-making in the 19th century.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Madras hemp sounds like a historical fabric from Madras (now Chennai), and hemp is a fibre.

Conceptual Metaphor

[Not applicable for this highly specific term]

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Do not confuse with "пенька" (hemp) from *Cannabis sativa*. Madras hemp is a different plant ('кроталярия').

Common Mistakes

Using it as a modern term; confusing it with true hemp.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Historically, was cultivated in India for its durable fibre.

Multiple Choice

What is 'madras hemp' most commonly known as today?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No. Despite the name 'hemp', it is a different plant (*Crotalaria juncea*) and contains no psychoactive compounds.
: It originates from Madras, a major port city (now Chennai) in India, from where the fibre was historically exported.
: Yes, but it is almost universally referred to as 'sunn hemp' in modern agriculture, where it is used for fibre and as a soil-improving cover crop.
: Traditionally, its coarse fibre was used for ropes, sacks, and canvases, not for fine clothing. Modern processing can create blended textiles.