Cannabis has been cultivated across numerous cultures throughout the world for nearly 12,000 years. What is cannabis? Quite simply, it’s a plant. From stem to stigma, here is our guide to the bits and buds that make up a cannabis plant.

Bract

Originating at the stem, this specialized flowering leaf surrounds the seeds and becomes part of the flower as it matures.

Flower (Bud)

Cradling the highest concentration of active compounds such as cannabinoids and terpenes, the flower is the female reproductive organ of the cannabis plant. It is the part of the plant that is most often consumed by humans.

Calyx

Containing the pistils, stigma and trichomes, the calyx is a thin layer of cells that protects the seeds. It is the first part of flower to develop.

Cola

Tight clusters of flowers grow together to form a cola. The main cola (the terminal or apical bud) is located at the top of the plant.

Fan leaves

Instantly recognizable as the most iconic part of the plant, fan leaves do not contain cannabinoids but are responsible for collecting sunlight and water for food energy.

Pistil

Responsible for the collection of pollen from a male cannabis plant, the pistils are the highly-recognizable hair-like filaments that range in colour from white to burnt orange.

Stem

Providing structure and support for the leaves and flowers, the stem is the transportation network for fluids and nutrients. It is the hub of production for new plant tissue.

Stigma

Acting as a sticky trap to receive the male pollen that initiates seed production, the stigma is the receptive area of the pistil.

Sugar leaves

Part of the flower, sugar leaves are small leaves that are coated in cannabinoid- and terpene-rich trichomes.

Trichomes

Named after the Greek word for “hair”, the flower’s strand-like translucent glands produce resinous chemicals such as cannabinoids and terpenes—an essential part of the plant’s biological defences.

Learn more about the different species of cannabis plants in our feature article about the differences between indica and sativa plants.

 

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