Anatomy of Cannabis

Knowledge of the proper name for each part of the Cannabis plant can help one describe problems with a cultivar

Leaves

Cotyledons

Technically not actually leaves, these are the initial pair of "leaves" that are present inside the seed casing

Sugar leaves

Small leaves with trichomes that grow from the buds. They are trimmed before the bud is smoked, either before or after drying.

Fan leaves

The largest leaves on the plant dedicated to photosynthesis. In a healthy plant, the fan leaves will have up 7 or even 9 fingers

Parts of the leaf

Apex

The pointed tip of a fan leaf

Stomata

Stomata are tiny pores in the plant tissue that allow for gas exchange. The majority can be found on the underside of the leaves but they are also found on the stems.

Buds

Cola

A cluster of many buds on the top of a stem. Colas will appear and become larger throughout the flowering stage

Trichromes

Trichomes are resin-filled glands that appear on the sugar leaves and buds of Cannabis in the flowering stage. They contain THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. They first appear on the plant as a translucent colour but slowly turn milky white as the plant matures. The opacity indicates the amount of THC in the trichrome. As flowering continues the milky white colour turns to amber as the THC converts into CBD.

Terpenes

Organic compounds found in the highest concentration in buds that create the taste and aroma of Cannabis.

Stigma

Hair-like structures that emerge from the bud often (confusingly) referred to as Pistils. This is most likely because stigma possessing female plants are referred to as pistillate, which then became short-hand. The colouration of the stigma can provide some insight into the maturity of the plant, as the plant matures the stigma turn from white to orange.

Bract

The first part of the flower that forms, the Bract provides protection for the pistils and stigma and is the most resinous part of the bud.

Plant body

Node

Points on the steam where lateral branches grow from the main stem. The third node is where the plant begins to develop strong bud producing branches

Plant metrics

Inter-nodal distance

Distance between nodes on the main stem