What are Cannabis Trichomes?
2025-04-23
What Are Cannabis Trichomes?
You've probably seen the fuzzy hairs that range from a clear to amber hue on cannabis flowers, sugar leaves, and stems.
These resinous glands are called trichomes and usually have a mushroom-like shape. They can be found across various plants, not just cannabis.
“Trichome” derives from the Greek word “tricoma,” which means “hair.” Officially, a trichome is defined as “a small hair or other outgrowth from the epidermis of a plant, typically unicellular or glandular.”
In cannabis plants, trichomes develop when the plant transitions from its vegetative stage to its flowering stage. When cannabis plants start to produce flower buds, the trichomes begin to form on their flowers, sugar leaves, and stalks.
Evolutionary Purpose of Trichomes
Trichomes can be found on many plants and range in shape, structure, density, color, and purpose.
For instance, trichomes can help carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap catch prey. In cannabis, trichomes mainly act as a defense mechanism.
In the wild, cannabis trichomes serve as protection. Trichomes are used to protect the plant's surface cells from harsh environmental factors such as frost, harsh wind, UV rays, and even fungal growth.
Trichomes can also protect plants from predators such as insects and animals. The strong aroma and bitter taste of trichomes can deter predators from eating them.
Different Types of Cannabis Trichomes
Trichomes can be found in various sizes and shapes, but there are three main trichomes found on cannabis plants.
These categories can be divided into two categories: glandular and non-glandular. Only glandular trichomes produce cannabinoids and terpenes.
Marijuana Trichome Life Cycle
How are trichomes formed? What are the stages of trichome development? Biosynthesis refers to the process of producing complex compounds from a simple precursor. Cannabinoids, terpenes, and trichomes must undergo this process.
Biosynthesis begins with the binding process where enzymes bind to one or two molecules, also called substrates. Then, the prenylation process involves substrates attaching to each other and creating a chemical conversion of the substrates. After this, the cyclization process involves passing the converted substrate to another enzyme for additional changes.
Cannabinoid synthesis occurs in the secretory vesicles of trichomes in the gland head at the start of the flowering stage in female cannabis plants. When the cannabis plant begins to form cannabis flowers, the trichomes are produced on the surface of the plant.
Within the trichome’s gland head, cells will start to metabolize and produce acidic forms of the plant’s most active compounds, including THC and CBD, along the trichome’s outer cuticle. The secretory vesicle produces oil, which is moved toward the cuticle, causing the gland head to expand.
The life cycle of trichomes depends on the genetics and growing conditions of the plant. A high concentration of trichomes is not always linked to high cannabinoid and terpene concentrations. Generally, plants that receive a broad spectrum of light will produce more cannabinoids.
What is the ideal harvest time? Many growers usually harvest the flowers when most trichomes have turned an amber color. Trichomes start off clear, turn milky white, and finally turn amber. At this stage, the plant has the peak concentration of cannabinoids.
Extracting Cannabis Trichomes
Cannabis trichomes can undergo solvent-based or solventless extraction methods to separate the trichomes from the rest of the plant matter. Extraction methods range from closed-loop extraction using butane, propane, ethanol, or supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) to dry sifting or rosing pressing that do not use solvents.
Extracted cannabis oils can be purified to remove everything but the plant’s cannabinoids or preserve the terpenes and flavonoids. The post-processing technique depends on the desired end products, which include concentrates, vape cartridges, infused pre-rolls, edibles, topicals, and more.
What are the packaging containers for Cannabis extract?
Conventional packaging containers for cannabis extract are made of glass，plastic，silicone , such as: 3g Glass Jar, 5g Glass Jar, 7g Glass Jar, 9g Glass Jar, 1oz -16oz Glass Jar, Childproof Glass Jar, Glass Jar with Bamboo Lid，Plastic Tube，Pop Top Tube,Preroll，Silicone.
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