ABSTRACT
References .......................................................................................................................... 450
Jute is the common name given to the fiber extracted from the stems of plants belonging to
the genus Corchorus, family Tiliaceae, whereas kenaf is the name given to a similar fiber
obtained from the stems of plants belonging to the genus Hibiscus, family Malvaceae,
especially the species H. cannabinus L. Only two species of Corchorus, namely C. capsular
L. and C. olitorius L., are grown commercially, although around 40 wild species are known,
whereas other species of Hibiscus, particularly H. sabdariffa L. are sometimes also marketed
as kenaf.
