When you visit a dispensary, you’ll likely notice that every jar of flower looks slightly different. Some products may look dull and brown, while others may feature complex trichomes with glittery purple colors.
Do different strains of cannabis look the same? No, and it’s important to understand what these visual cues mean when shopping so you can select a strain that matches your preferences. Below, our team at Cannabis & Glass in Ontario, Oregon, explains how you can differentiate marijuana varieties based on leaf shape, structure, color, and more.
Differentiating Cannabis Strains by Looking at Visual Cues
All the observable visual traits of marijuana are known as the cannabis phenotypes. These distinct cues tell you everything from the plant’s cannabinoid profiles and growth patterns to its potential aroma differences and flavor palette. Here are the visual cues you can look at when comparing strains:
Plant Structure
You’re not going to see full plants inside the dispensary, but it’s still important to understand the distinction between plant structures, as this impacts the final product. Sativas generally grow as skinny and tall plants, developing longer, narrow leaves that create elongated buds. Indicas, on the other hand, grow in a more compact shape, creating very dense buds.
Bud Structure
The bud structure is a direct result of the plant’s shape and its growing environment. A tall, skinny sativa plant will usually create fluffier, lighter buds that might look quite large and appealing inside the jar. When you see small, round, tight, and dense buds, these typically come from compact sativa plants.
You cannot always identify the type of product directly from its structure, but you should understand these defining factors to select high-quality products. Do different strains of cannabis look the same? No, so you generally might not want to select an indica if all of the buds look like small marbles or shake.
Trichome Density
Trichomes are the frosty crystals sprinkling the outside of the bud. They can come in numerous color variations, giving different strains unique names like Blue Dream or Purple Urkel.
Trichomes contain terpenes and cannabinoids, hinting at the plant’s strength and potency. Highly potent strains are often quite frosty. While trichome density can help you understand the plant’s strength, it won’t help you identify the exact strain type.
Coloration
When you think of marijuana flower, green is typically the first color that comes to mind. Bud can come in many color varieties, though, with subtle pops of purple, blue, and red hinting at the plant’s genetic makeup and environment.
Sativas generally grow in warmer climates, which leads to brighter, more vibrant results. Indicas can thrive in colder, more harsh environments, resulting in deeper, darker, and more intense hues, such as Grape Ape and Purple Kush.
The Limitations of Visual Identification
So, do different strains of cannabis look the same? No, but this does not mean you can always identify a product just by evaluating its color, nor can you tell the bud’s quality based on looks. While the above factors can help you evaluate the type of product you’re dealing with, you must remember that environmental factors like light, temperature, humidity, and soil nutrients will all greatly impact the plant’s structure and color.
In today’s market, hybrid strains tend to be the most popular option. Hybrids contain indica and sativa blends, meaning you often won’t notice very distinct visual qualities, making visual identification nearly impossible.
Check Out Top-Tier Bud at Cannabis & Glass in Ontario, Oregon
Now you know the answer to, “Do different strains of cannabis look the same?” When you’re ready to explore top-shelf marijuana products, visit Cannabis & Glass in Ontario, Oregon.
