abacá

views updated Jun 11 2018

abacá (Manila hemp) The strongest of the hard, natural fibres. It is extracted from the pseudostems of Musa textilis (see MUSA), a relative of the edible bananas. Grown mainly in the Philippines, and native to that region, it is used to make ropes that are resistant to humidity, salt water, and fresh water, and to make special, strong papers (e.g. for tea-bags).

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

Manila hemp

views updated May 17 2018

Manila hemp See ABACÁ.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

Manila hemp

All Sources -
Updated Aug 24 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

You Might Also Like