Anatomy of a Cannabis Plant
Below are some of the main parts of the cannabis plant that are talked about often.
Stem - The stem, also called a stalk, is the central main trunk that grows vertically from the ground. It is the backbone of the plant as it supports all the leaves and flowers on the plant which is crucial for the plants structure and stability. It is the main transport for water and nutrients from roots to the stalks, leaves and flowers.
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Branches - The branches, also known as secondary branches or shoots, are important because they support the fan leaves. They also transport water and nutrients to leaves and flowers. The smaller branches that grow from the bigger branches are called tertiary branches.
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Node - The point where new growth such as branches, leaves, and flower emerges from the stem. Internodes are referring the space between nodes.
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Fan Leaves - Fan leaves are the large flat leaves that grow on the plant. They are known as the main energy generators of the plant. They are essential in photosynthesis which takes light energy and converts it to energy to help the plant grow and develop. They also have pores that allow the plant to "breath". They take in CO2 and give out oxygen during the day through photosynthesis. At night they take in oxygen and give out CO2, known as cellular breathing.
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Sugar leaves - These are the smaller leaves that grow out of the flower or cola. The reason they are called sugar leaves is because they usually have a high concentration of trichomes on them, which causes the leaves to look frosty or sugary. As they mature, they may turn colors of vibrant greens to reddish or purplish colors.
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Trichomes - Are tiny hair-like structures that grow on the leaves, stems and flowers. When magnified they look like little mushrooms. The trichomes are responsible for synthesizing and storing the cannabinoids like CBD and THC, along with the terpenes and flavonoids They also act as a defensive mechanism from UV light, pests and herbivores.
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Stigmas/Hairs - Stigmas are a part of the reproductive system of the female plant. They are the hairs that grow out of the pistil and are used to catch pollen. They start out as little white hairs and grow longer as they mature. As they are maturing the color can go from white to red, orange, amber or brown color.
Sativa Plant that has recently been topped
Pistals/Hairs
Sugar Leaves
