The Essential Parts of the Cannabis Plant

What is the precise formation of the cannabis plant and how does it function? Our aim is to help you become familiar with the cannabis plant and its most important parts.

Male and Female Cannabis Plants

Female cannabis plants are highly valued, especially in the context of cultivation for medicinal, recreational, and industrial purposes, due to their ability to produce flowers (buds) rich in cannabinoids and terpenes.

Buds are the primary product harvested from cannabis plants for consumption.

The male cannabis plant is known for its ability to pollinate the female plant. In doing so, it produces seeds. While male plants are less desirable for producing cannabinoid-rich buds, they play a crucial role in the reproduction and breeding of cannabis.

Unlike female plants, male plants do not produce the dense, resinous buds that are harvested for their cannabinoid content.

Essential Parts of the Cannabis Plants

The Roots, Branches and Leaves

One of the most important parts of a cannabis plant is its roots. This is what anchors the plant to the ground. It serves as a vital role to absorb and transport water and nutrients.

Branches grow from the stem of the cannabis plant, holding leaves, flower (buds), and more branches.

Nodes are points on the stem where branches and leaves grow. They are important for identifying the sex of the plant.

Leaves are where the majority of photosynthesis takes place. Leaves also are involved in respiration, where they take oxygen and release CO2.

There are two types of leaves on the cannabis plant, fan leaves and sugar leaves.

Sugar leaves contribute to the overall cannabinoid and terpene content of the buds. This is what is trimmed off during harvest and can be used to make concentrates and extracts or smoked.

The Cola

A cola on a cannabis plant is the term used to describe a cluster of buds that grow tightly together off of the branches.

The main cola, often referred to as the “apical bud,” is typically found at the top of the plant and is the largest and most prominent bud cluster.

Colas are covered in trichomes, tiny crystal-like structures that produce and store cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, making them highly potent and aromatic.

Bract and Calyx

The calyx is the base of the flower that contains the reproductive organs. The calyx is covered in trichomes.

The bracts enclose the calyx, playing a crucial role in protecting developing seeds. They shield the seeds from environmental stressors and potential predators. Trichomes are located on the bracts.

The Pistil and Stigmas

Female flowers contain pistils and stigmas, which are hair-like structures meant to catch pollen from male plants.

Initially, these pistils are white but gradually change to orange or red as the plant matures. They are the reproductive organs of the plant.

There are hundreds of different parts of the cannabis plant and they each play a vital role in the production of the plant. You can learn more by checking out our cannabis online courses.

Luis Cordova

Luis Cordova is a distinguished author, and renowned expert in cannabis cultivation, who possesses a Master's degree in Plant Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Science. As a valued contributor to highly esteemed publications such as Cannabis Training University and Maximum Yield Magazine, Luis has emerged as a trusted source of guidance and knowledge in the cannabis industry. Having written thousands of informative articles, Luis is widely recognized for his comprehensive expertise on cultivating cannabis, both indoors and outdoors.