John Miller
Trichomes are the small, hair-like growths found on cannabis plants, as well as other plants, lichens, algae, and protist organisms. They are sticky, crystalline-looking resin glands that produce a range of chemical compounds, including cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, and terpenes. Trichomes are thought to act as a defence mechanism for the plant, protecting it from insects, bacteria, and fungi, as well as harsh weather conditions. They are also used by growers to determine the best time to harvest cannabis plants, as the colour of the trichomes indicates the maturity of the plant. While trichomes are typically described as hair-like, some varieties, such as capitate-sessile trichomes, have a mushroom-like shape, with a slender stalk and a bulbous head.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Trichomes are the small, hair-like growths found on plants, lichens, algae, and other protist organisms. |
| Size | Trichomes are tiny, measuring between 10 and 100 microns wide. |
| Shape | Trichomes can be bulbous, capitate, or capitate-stalked. Capitate-sessile trichomes have a mushroom-like shape with a slender stalk and a bulbous head. |
| Visibility | Trichomes are typically visible only under a microscope, but capitate-stalked trichomes are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. |
| Location | Trichomes are found on the surface of leaves and flowers, with a higher concentration on the flowers and upper leaves. In cannabis plants, they are primarily found on the flowers and underside of sugar and fan leaves. |
| Function | Trichomes produce and store aromatic terpenes, cannabinoids, and other active compounds. They act as a defensive mechanism against insects, pests, fungus, bacteria, strong winds, and arid climates. |
| Colour | Trichomes change colour as the plant matures, from clear to milky/cloudy, and finally amber/red. The colour indicates the maturity and potency of the plant. |
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What You'll Learn
Trichomes are the small hair-like growths on plants, lichens, and algae
Trichomes are fine outgrowths or appendages on plants, lichens, and algae. The term "trichome" comes from the Greek word for "hair growth". They are small, hair-like growths that can be made up of hairs, scales, glands, or papillae. Trichomes are typically found on the sugar and fan leaves of plants, with secretory cells at their base that produce cannabinoids and terpenes. They can also be found on the upper and lower sides of leaves.
Trichomes are important for plant defence, as they make it harder for insects and pests to damage the plant. They may also offer some protection from wind and light. In addition, trichomes can help prevent soil erosion, especially in cold desert climates. On plants, trichomes can keep frost away from the living surface cells, reduce transpiration, and increase light reflectance. They also enhance the process of collecting moisture from fog drip by increasing the surface area on which water droplets can accumulate.
Trichomes are also found on certain protist organisms, which are neither animal, plant, nor fungus. Examples of protist organisms with trichomes include protozoa and certain moulds and plant-like protophyta.
In terms of appearance, trichomes can be bulbous with a spherical head, or capitate stalked with a stalk made of epidermal and hypodermal cells. The colour of trichomes can also vary, with clear trichomes indicating that THC and other substances have not yet begun to oxidize, and cloudy trichomes indicating that a portion of THC has converted to CBD.
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Trichomes on cannabis plants are mushroom-shaped with a bulbous head
Trichomes are small hair-like growths found on plants, including cannabis, as well as lichens, algae, and other protist organisms. The term "trichome" comes from the Greek word for "hair growth". Trichomes on cannabis plants are particularly important because they are the primary site for the synthesis, storage, and secretion of valuable compounds, influencing the plant's aroma, flavour, and therapeutic properties.
Cannabis trichomes have a shape similar to a mushroom. They have a slender stalk and a bulbous, spherical head. These trichomes are tiny, at around 50-100 microns wide, and can be challenging to see without magnification. They are found across the full surface of the plant, including the leaves, stems, bracts, and calyxes.
The bulbous trichomes play several vital functions within the cannabis plant. One of their primary roles is the production of cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which are responsible for the psychoactive and therapeutic effects of cannabis. The bulbous shape of these trichomes also contributes to the plant's defence mechanism. They act as a protective barrier, shielding the plant from excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation by absorbing and reflecting UV light, thereby preventing damage to the underlying cells.
The colour of the trichomes on a cannabis plant can indicate the level of maturation and the ideal time for harvesting. Trichomes mature and ripen in stages, starting out clear, then turning hazy or milky, and finally becoming amber. The colour changes indicate the level of cannabinoid oxidation, which can help determine the expected effects of the cannabis flowers. For example, clear trichomes suggest that THC and other substances have not yet begun to oxidize, resulting in higher THC and terpene production but lower CBD levels. On the other hand, cloudy trichomes indicate that a portion of THC has converted to CBD, leading to a balanced head and body high.
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Trichomes produce cannabinoids and terpenes
Trichomes are tiny hair-like growths found on plants, including cannabis, as well as lichens, algae, and other protist organisms. The term "trichome" comes from the Greek word for "hair growth". Trichomes have various functions, including protection from insects and harsh weather conditions. They also play a vital role in the cannabis lifecycle by producing cannabinoids and terpenes.
Cannabinoids and terpenes are produced by specialist cells in glandular trichomes, specifically in the secretory disk cells that line the base of the trichome head. These secretory cells produce cannabinoids and terpenes through secondary metabolite synthesis, which are then deposited and stored in the subcuticular cavity of the trichome. The cannabinoids and terpenes are found inside the spherical resin gland, known as the "'capitate", which sits on top of the trichome stalk.
The two main types of trichomes in cannabis are glandular and non-glandular. Glandular trichomes are of commercial interest as they produce essential oils and other valuable secretions, including cannabinoids and terpenes. Non-glandular trichomes, on the other hand, do not produce cannabinoids or terpenes. Their primary functions are protection from ultraviolet light, storing moisture, and defending against insects and pests.
The most common type of glandular trichome is the capitate-stalked trichome, which is the largest and most abundant trichome on cannabis plants. These trichomes produce significant amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes and are packed with oils. Capitate-sessile trichomes are another type of glandular trichome that produces cannabinoids and terpenes, although at lower levels than capitate-stalked trichomes.
The colour of the trichomes can indicate the level of cannabinoid and terpene production. Clear trichomes suggest that THC and other substances have not yet oxidised, resulting in higher THC and terpene levels. Cloudy trichomes indicate that some THC has converted to CBD, producing a balanced high. Amber trichomes suggest that cannabinoids are oxidising, leading to different effects.
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Trichome colour indicates the plant's maturity
Trichomes are the small, hair-like growths found on plants, including cannabis. They are described as the fragile appendages on plants, and they can be made up of hairs, scales, glands, or papillae. Trichomes are tiny, adhesive crystals that cover the plant's bloom and smaller leaves. They are said to resemble clear mushrooms growing from the plant's surface, with a slender stalk and a bulbous head.
The colour of trichomes indicates the plant's maturity and can be used to determine the best time to harvest. There are four stages of trichome development: clear, cloudy, amber, and mixed. Clear trichomes indicate that the plant is still immature, and the essential oils are not yet worth harvesting. Cloudy trichomes indicate that cannabinoid levels have reached their peak, and this is when most farmers harvest their plants. Milky trichomes indicate that the plant will produce a more uplifting experience. Finally, amber trichomes indicate that the plant is reaching the end of its life cycle and will soon die.
The trichomes that produce essential oils such as cannabinoids and terpenes change colour as they mature, and this can serve as a marker for the optimal harvest time. At the beginning, they are transparent and do not contain any compounds. They then turn whitish and increasingly opaque until they reach a milky white colour. After that, they acquire an amber colour, and if allowed to mature further, they will turn a darker reddish colour.
It is important to note that not all trichomes mature at the same time, so the ideal harvest time is determined by the majority of trichomes reaching a certain colour. For example, harvesting Indica-dominant strains when around 60% of the trichomes have turned amber will result in heavier physical relaxation effects, while harvesting when half the trichomes are cloudy and half are amber will produce a more balanced split of cerebral and physical effects.
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Trichomes are the plant's natural defence system
Trichomes are small, hair-like growths that occur on plants, lichens, algae, and other protist organisms. They can be found on nearly all non-aquatic plant structures, including leaves, stems, and even fruits. The term "trichome" comes from the Greek word for "hair growth". Trichomes can be clear, cloudy, or amber in colour, and they can resemble mushrooms with a slender stalk and a bulbous head. They are typically between 50 and 100 microns wide, although some can be as small as 10 microns wide.
Trichomes serve as a plant's natural defence system. They can be glandular or non-glandular, unicellular or multicellular. Glandular trichomes secrete adhesive or viscous fluids that trap arthropods and deter herbivores from feeding on the plant. The trapped insects may then attract predatory enemies of the herbivores, further enhancing the plant's defences. Non-glandular trichomes, on the other hand, can be straight or hooked and act as physical barriers against pests and insects. They can impale or wound insects, impeding their locomotion and feeding behaviour.
The density of trichomes on a plant is important for its defence mechanism. Studies have shown that the capture efficiency of the trichome-based defence system is both stage-specific and density-dependent. The highest capture mortality occurs during the leaf stage, indicating that trichomes are most effective during this stage of development. Additionally, there is a negative correlation between trichome density and insect feeding and oviposition responses.
The colour of trichomes can also provide clues about the plant's maturation and the best time to harvest. Clear trichomes indicate that THC and other substances have not yet oxidised, resulting in higher THC and terpene production. Cloudy trichomes suggest that a small portion of THC has converted to CBD, leading to a balanced head and body high. Amber trichomes indicate that cannabinoids are oxidising, which will produce different effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Trichomes are small, hair-like growths found on plants, including cannabis, as well as lichens, algae, and other protist organisms. They are often described as having a mushroom-like shape, with a slender stalk and a bulbous head.
Trichomes are not mushrooms, but certain types of trichomes, particularly those found on cannabis plants, are described as having a mushroom-like shape. Trichomes are microscopic growths that can be comprised of hairs, scales, glands, or papillae, and they serve various functions for the plant. Mushrooms, on the other hand, are a type of fungus that typically grow from spores and have a distinct cap and stem structure.
The mushroom-like shape of certain trichomes, such as the capitate-sessile and capitate-stalked trichomes, is due to their structure. They have a stalk or stem that supports a bulbous, spherical, or mushroom-shaped head. This shape allows for the transport of nutrients to the head through the stalk.
Trichomes that resemble mushrooms, such as those found on cannabis plants, are important for several reasons. They produce and store aromatic terpenes and cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which are responsible for the smell and effects of cannabis. Additionally, these trichomes act as a defensive mechanism, protecting the plant from insects, fungus, bacteria, and adverse environmental conditions.
