The Cannabis Plant Types
Hundreds of types of cannabis are now on the market.
Here are the basics about the types of plants.
The two most common cannabis plant types are Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. Less common is Cannabis ruderalis, which is used mostly by breeders to enhance their hybrids.
Cannabis:
Cannabis Sativa:
This species can grow quite tall and has long, serrated light green leaves. Cannabis sativa L, more commonly known as hemp is typically grown for industrial use and is regulated to ensure the plants do not contain more than 0.2% THC.
Cannabis Indica:
This species is generally faster-growing, bushier and up to six feet shorter than Cannabis sativa, with dark green leaves.
Cannabis Ruderalis:
This species is short, stalky and shaggier with light green leaves. It tends to be rugged and auto-flowering, which is good for breeders.
Hybrids:
There is a lot of speculation about the varying effects of consuming predominantly sativa versus indica strains, but significant differences can occur from strain to strain. Many products are made from hybrid plants, which combine both species, as growers explore and cultivate cannabis to produce desired effects.
