Cannabis 101: An Intro to the Pot Plant
A cannabis plant by any other name…
Well, cannabis actually has many other names. And the smell? There’s tons of differentiation there too (thanks, terpenes!).
No matter what you call it, consider this your introductory tour of the cannabis plant.
*One important term to know going into this is trichome. The trichomes are tiny mushroom-shaped glands that hold the medicine of the cannabis plant - THC, CBD, etc.
Here’s a close-up shot of those sticky trichomes
Roots
We’ll start from the bottom, work our way up. Roots may seem pretty self-explanatory.
Because they are. If you’re growing, keep them healthy and watered as needed. After harvesting, the roots can be juiced - or - dried and made into tea (high not included).
Stalk
The stalk is the main branch of the plant, gowing straight from the roots. Think of it as the trunk of the cannabis plant, if it were a tree.
Much like the roots, the stalk won’t get you high either (no trichomes grow on the stalk) but can be used in tea.
This is the part of the plant used in hemp paper and rope.
Stems
These are the branches of the plant, supporting the leaves and the buds. Same rules apply as the stalk - no high, good for tea. You technically could smoke them. But don’t.
Nodes
This is where the leaves & stems connect to the main stalk or other older stems.
For many growers, these nodes are the key to increasing the yield (aka the amount) of bud they get from the plant.
Fan Leaves
The iconic fan leaves are a symbol of cannabis, a well-known sign that you are in the presence of sweet Mary Jane.
These leaves contain very little trichomes though, which hold all of the medicine (cannabinoids like THC & CBD). They can be used for juicing though, if that’s your type of thing.
Sugar Leaves
These leaves are smaller than the fan leaves, they surround the flower, and are often called “trim”.
These leaves do contain some trichomes, although not nearly as many as the actual flower. Although smoking them is ok, they’re better used for decarbing and making edibles.
Bud
Also called flower and cola, the bud is what we all know & love. Or have at least seen before.
The bud contains the most trichomes and is full of cannabinoids & terpenes. This is the part of the plant people want, pay for, and medicate with.
Even if you don’t grow your own, naming and understanding these parts is helpful in knowing your cannabis better. And after all, cannabis is just a plant.
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