Cannabis: Evolution and EthnobotanyCannabis: Evolution and Ethnobotany is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary exploration of the natural origins and early evolution of this famous plant, highlighting its historic role in the development of human societies. Cannabis has long been prized for the strong and durable fiber in its stalks, its edible and oil-rich seeds, and the psychoactive and medicinal compounds produced by its female flowers. The culturally valuable and often irreplaceable goods derived from cannabis deeply influenced the commercial, medical, ritual, and religious practices of cultures throughout the ages, and human desire for these commodities directed the evolution of the plant toward its contemporary varieties. As interest in cannabis grows and public debate over its many uses rises, this book will help us understand why humanity continues to rely on this plant and adapts it to suit our needs. |
Contents
| 1 | |
2 Natural Origins and Early Evolution of Cannabis | 13 |
3 Ethnobotanical Origins Early Cultivation and Evolution through Human Selection | 29 |
4 The Cultural Diffusion of Cannabis Introduction | 59 |
5 History of Cannabis Use for Fiber | 135 |
6 Food Feed and Oil Uses of Hemp | 199 |
7 Historical Aspects of Psychoactive Cannabis Use for Ritual and Recreation | 211 |
8 Ethnobotanical History and Contemporary Context of Medicinal Cannabis | 241 |
9 Nonpsychoactive Ritual Uses of Cannabis | 257 |
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agriculture allele ancestor ancient anemophily archaeobotanical archeological areas artificial Asian bhang biotypes Canna Cannabaceae cannabinoid Cannabis sativa Cannabis seeds Cannabis’s Central Asia century Chapter China Chinese climate cordage crop cultivars cultural dated dioecious dispersal drug early eastern Eurasia Europe European evidence evolved farming female plants feral fiber and seed fields find fine first fishing flax flowers gene pool genetic hashish hemp cloth hemp cultivation hemp fiber hemp seed hempen Hillig Hmong Holocene human selection Humulus hybrid identified important indica ssp indicates inflorescences influence Japan Korea landrace marijuana medical Cannabis medicinal monoecious Mountains nabis narrow-leaf Neolithic NLD varieties NLHA North northern origin paper period Pleistocene pollen populations production psychoactive recent referred refugia region relatively remains resin retting ritual rope sativa significant sinsemilla South Asia southern species specific spread steppe textile tion traditional Vavilov weaving Western wild