Cannabis Botanical Features

General Classification and Structure

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The general plant structure includes:

Feature	Description
Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order	Rosales
Family	Cannabaceae
Genus	Cannabis

Leaf Morphology

Cannabis leaves are perhaps the most recognizable feature and display a distinct morphology.

• Compound Leaves: Leaves are palmately compound, meaning leaflets radiate from a single point.
• Leaflet Count: Mature plants typically have 5 to 9 leaflets per leaf, though this can vary from 1 to 13.
• Serration: Leaflet margins are serrated (toothed).
• Arrangement: Lower leaves are typically opposite, while upper leaves and floral leaves are often alternate.

Stem and Root System

The stem and root systems provide structural support and nutrient uptake.

• Stem: The stem is generally erect and hollow with longitudinal ridges. It is often described as herbaceous, but can become woody in older plants.
• Root System: The plant develops a robust, single taproot, which can extend deep into the soil, along with numerous fibrous lateral roots.

Reproductive Features and Sexual Expression

Cannabis is primarily dioecious, meaning male and female reproductive organs are typically found on separate plants. However, monoecious (hermaphroditic) plants can occur.

Female Flowers

Female flowers are the primary focus of cultivation due to their high concentration of cannabinoids.

1. Structure: Small, bract-enclosed clusters of flowers (called calyxes) that form dense buds or colas along the stems.
2. Pistils (Stigmas): Paired, hair-like structures emerging from the calyx, designed to catch pollen. They are typically white or cream-colored, turning red, amber, or brown as they mature.
3. Bracts: Small, protective leaves that cover the ovule. They are heavily covered in glandular trichomes.

Male Flowers

Male flowers are primarily for pollen production.

• Structure: Hanging clusters of stamens (small yellow/green sacks) that form small, multi-branched panicles.
• Pollen: The stamens release lightweight, yellow-white pollen designed for wind dispersal.

Glandular Trichomes

Glandular trichomes are specialized, hair-like structures found most densely on the flowers and surrounding leaves of female plants.

• Function: They are the biological site of synthesis and accumulation for the plant's primary secondary metabolites, including cannabinoids (e.g., THC, CBD) and terpenes.
• Appearance: They resemble small, translucent mushrooms or stalks with a cap/head.

Phenotypes and Varieties

The genus Cannabis is often categorized into three main phenotypes based on morphology and growth characteristics, though extensive hybridization exists:

Phenotype	Height	Leaflets	Bud Structure	Flowering Time
Sativa	Tall, lanky	Narrower	Airy, elongated	Longer
Indica	Shorter, bushier	Wider	Dense, compact	Shorter
Ruderalis	Very short	Sparse	Small, loose	Auto-flowering