What is "abaca"

Manila hemp \Manila hemp\ n.

1. A fibrous material obtained from the abaca plant ( Musa textilis), a plant allied to the banana, growing in the Philippine and other East India islands; -- called also by the native name abaca. From it matting, canvas, ropes, and cables are made.

   Syn: Manilla hemp, abaca.

2. A Philippine plant ( Musa textilis) having leafstalks that yield Manila hemp used for rope and paper etc.; called also the abaca.

n. 1 (taxlink Musa textilis species noshow=1), a species of banana tree native to the Philippines grown for its textile and papermaking fibre. (First attested in the mid 18^th century.)(R:SOED5: page=2) 2 (context uncountable English) The fiber of this plant, used in rope. (First attested in the mid 18^th century.)

1. n: a kind of hemp obtained from the abaca plant in the Philippines [syn: Manila hemp, Manilla hemp]

2. Philippine banana tree having leafstalks that yield Manila hemp used for rope and paper etc [syn: Manila hemp, Musa textilis]

Abacá ( ; ), binomial name Musa textilis, is a species of banana native to the Philippines, grown as a commercial crop in the Philippines, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. The plant, also known as Manila hemp, has great economic importance, being harvested for its fiber, also called Manila hemp, extracted from the leaf-stems. The plant grows to , and averages about . The fiber was originally used for making twines and ropes; now most is pulped and used in a variety of specialized paper products including tea bags, filter paper and banknotes. It is classified as a hard fiber, along with coir, henequin and sisal.