Hop Anatomy

Hop Anatomy

1. Cones

   • Petal-like structures
     • Bracts
       • look similar, but without a flower
     • Bracteoles
       • Seed/fruit develop in a bracteole at each flower's base
       • Two per bract
       • compared to bracts, they are
         • longer & narrower at the tip
         • brighter yellow in color
   • also called strobiles
   • Grow in clusters on bines
     • bines = hearty, vine-like stalks
     • Male & female flowers grow on separate plants
       • Only female cones are used to brew beer

2. Rootstock

   • Rhizomes
     • Have buds
     • Lower stem of the plant
     • grow underground
     • What hops are usually planted to grow from
       • produce roots & shoots from their nodes
   • True Roots
     • Do not have buds
     • can grow 15 feet deep or more into the soil