A GARDENER’S GUIDE TO CANNABIS
FAMILY: CANNABACEAE
GENUS: CANNABIS
SPECIES: SATIVA, INDICA, RUDERALIS
VARIETIES: INFINITE ‘STRAINS’!
Cannabis has been in the press a lot recently. For some, it’s a miracle medicine that can aid with issues from epilepsy to endometriosis; for others it’s a psychosis-inducing gateway drug; and then there are those who feel that, as far as its medical claims go, it’s just snake oil. But behind the politics, the ‘Legalise’ bumper stickers, the graffitied leaves on walls and the trendy infused cocktails, there’s a rather beautiful plant, largely shrouded in mystery. Most gardeners are in the dark when it comes to one of the most controversial plants in existence, so we went on a mission shed a little light on Cannabis.
The botany
Originating mostly in tropical climates of Asia, the Americas and Africa, from the family. The classification of plants is rather murky (RHS Plant Finder doesn’t exactly go into much detail), and has been much contested throughout history, but there are two wellknown documented species within the genus: and . Both are used for medicinal or recreational purposes, with reported differences in the effects on the mind and body, but this is disputed by some users and growers. Some even argue whether they are different species at all, though it is generally agreed that is the taller of the two with thinner leaves, whereas is shorter, with broader leaves. The plants are usually dioecious – meaning there are separate male and female plants (other dioecious examples include holly, blueberry and ginkgo) – and the females develop clustered flowers which produce an abundance of seeds if fertilised. Cannabis enthusiasts around the world have cultivated an endless number of varieties or ‘strains’ of both and and bestowed them with enjoyable names like Girl Scout Cookies, Purple Haze, Pineapple Kush and Fat Banana.
