| a fibrous material made from the leafstalks of the abacá, Musa textilis, used for making ropes, fabrics, etc. |
ab·a·ca also ab·a·cá  (āb'ə-kä', ä'bə-)  n.
[Spanish abacá, from Tagalog abaka.] |
| Manila hemp n. See abaca. |
Manila hemp
plant of the family Musaceae, and its fibre, which is second in importance among the leaf fibre group. Abaca fibre, unlike most other leaf fibres, is obtained from the plant leaf stalks (petioles). Although sometimes known as Manila hemp, Cebu hemp, or Davao hemp, the abaca plant is not related to true hemp.
Learn more about Manila hemp with a free trial on Britannica.com.
