The anatomy of the cannabis plant, as seen by our master growers
As you probably know, one of our greatest prides at Origine Nature is to perpetuate a traditional cultivation method that respects the plant and its life cycle. And as our master growers often say: a cannabis plant isn’t the same as a tomato plant! Here’s a peek at what these botany and science enthusiasts see when they’re “dissecting” a plant with their eyes.
The flower (or bud)
The flower features the highest concentration of cannabinoids (THC and CBD), the components responsible for the effects sought when consuming cannabis. As with other annual plants (that’s right—cannabis is an annual plant), the flowering tops take on different hues depending on the species, so don’t be surprised if you come across orange, green or even purplish flowers.
The leaf
The iconic serrated leaf says a lot about the DNA of a plant. Just by observing this part, you can identify the plant’s category. Indica specimens have short, stockier, darker leaves. In contrast, the leaves of sativa plants are long and tapered, and their colour is a lighter green. The hybrid plants, for their part, borrow characteristics from both strains of cannabis.
The trichomes
What exactly are trichomes? They’re the small crystals that appear on the surface of flowers and, in lower concentrations, on cannabis leaves. Trichomes can’t be ignored; they contain the plant’s cannabinoid compounds and terpenes. As flowering progresses, the appearance of the trichomes also changes. They start off transparent, and their hue becomes increasingly milky throughout the season. Master growers watch carefully for changes in the appearance of the trichomes, as this gives them valuable clues as to when the flowers should be harvested.
The terpenes
These need no introduction by now. Terpenes, which are naturally produced by the plant, are what gives the flower its distinctive flavour and aroma. In other words, its entire personality! The plant’s character comes from its balance of different types of terpenes—what’s referred to as its “terpene profile.” We know about a hundred different terpenes, each one producing its own specific effects.
On the female plant only: the pistils
If you notice small hairs that gradually turn from white to brown on the surface of a cannabis plant, you’ve got a female specimen on your hands. This anatomical part, called the pistils, has a very precise role: to trap the pollen produced by the male plant. And that’s how cannabis plants multiply!
