Humulus lupulus

Humulus lupulus, the common hop or hops, is a species of flowering plant in the hemp family, Cannabaceae. It is a perennial, herbaceous climbing plant which sends up new shoots in early spring and dies back to a cold-hardy rhizome in autumn. It is dioecious (having separate male and female plants) and native to West Asia, Europe and North America. As the female cone-shaped flowers (hops) are used to preserve and flavor beer, the species is widely cultivated for the brewing industry.