bowstring hemp

/ˌboʊˈstrɪŋ hɛmp/

Definitions of bowstring hemp

1. noun

   grown as a houseplant for its mottled fleshy sword-shaped leaves or as a source of fiber
   synonyms: sansevieria

   types:

   African bowstring hemp, African hemp, Sansevieria guineensis

   bowstring hemp of South Africa

   Ceylon bowstring hemp, Sansevieria zeylanica

   plant having thick fibrous leaves transversely banded in light and dark green

   Sansevieria trifasciata, mother-in-law's tongue, snake plant

   stemless plant having narrow rigid leaves often cultivated as a houseplant

   type of:

   American aloe, agave, century plant

   tropical American plants with basal rosettes of fibrous sword-shaped leaves and flowers in tall spikes; some cultivated for ornament or for fiber
2. noun

   strong fiber that resembles hemp; obtained from sansevieria and used for e.g. cordage
   type of:

   natural fiber, natural fibre

   fiber derived from plants or animals
3. noun

   hemp obtained from the sansevieria
   type of:

   hemp

   a plant fiber