It is a herbaceous annual related to cotton and okra and a member of the mallow family which originated in West Africa. ... It produces 5-10 tons of dry fiber per acre. ... The outer fiber is called "bast." ... The refined bast fibers measure 2.6 mm and are similar to the best softwood fibers used to make paper. ... The whole kenaf plant is then processed in a mechanical fiber separator similar to a cotton gin. ...

• Word Count: 825
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School