Native to Western Asia, Europe and North America. It belongs to the family Cannabaceae and to the genus Humulus.
It is a climbing plant, perennial, with rhizome as stem of underground storage and lobed leaves. It presents feminine and masculine flowers in separate plants and the fruit is an achenio.
It is used industrially in the manufacture of beer and has gained importance due to its applications in the food and medical industry.
The main producing countries are Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
