09/23/2025
Slide 27: Lost Art of the Hashishin Workshop, Science Behind Lecture
Trichomes are the plant’s defensive system
"Terpenes may act as deterrents against herbivory, as the monoterpenes α-pinene and limonene repel insects are present in higher concentrations in flowers while sesquiterpenes, which are bitter to mammals, have greater concentrations in the lower leaves (Potter, 2009; Nerio et al., 2010; Russo, 2011).
This apparent range of terpene profiles, dependent on organ and position, is in line with probable causes of damage, as insects would be more likely to damage the flowers and herbivorous mammals are likely to focus on the larger fan leaves.
In addition, cannabinoids and terpenes can complement each other to provide plants with a complex defense mechanism against insects. The ratio of monoterpenes to sesquiterpenes determines cannabis resin viscosity while CBGA and THCA are toxic to insects. Altering the ratio of terpene types to increase viscosity can trap insects..."
from CANNABIS GLANDULAR TRICHOMES: A CELLULAR METABOLITE FACTORY
CAILUN A. S. TANNEY, RACHEL BACKER, ANJA GEITMANN, AND DONALD L. SMITH *), FRONT PLANT SCI. 2021; 12: 721986, PUBLISHED 2021 SEP 20.
DOI: 10.3389/FPLS.2021.721986
Photo credit: Be sure to check their IG account for other amazing trichome macro photographs
Posted by Madame Cannoli continuing Frenchy’s educational legacy.
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Publié par Madame Cannoli, perpétuant l'héritage éducatif de Frenchy.
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