What Are Trichomes? A Lesson In Cannabis Biology

When you examine flower in a dispensary, you’ve probably noticed that some cannabis appears fuzzy or frosty. No, that’s not mold — the shimmering hair-like structures that cover the buds are trichomes. They’re a highly important part of the plant, both regarding human consumption and the plant’s life cycle. This guide introduces trichomes, explains how they benefit the plant and discusses why they matter for your cannabis experience.

What Are Trichomes?

Trichomes are the resin glands of the cannabis plant, giving the cannabis flower its frosty appearance. But trichomes are also common in many plant species, not just cannabis.

Trichome formation is key for quality flower, as cannabis trichomes are home to the majority of the plant’s cannabinoid and terpene content. As a result, many growers seek out methods that encourage trichome production.

The Different Types of Trichomes

While each individual trichome contains resin packed with terpenes and cannabinoids, these tiny structures are not exactly the same. There are many different types of trichomes that can be found on cannabis plants, but the three most common ones are bulbous, capitate-sessile and capitate-stalked trichomes.

• Bulbous trichomes: Squinting won’t help here — bulbous trichomes are so small that they’re made up of just a few cells and cannot be seen without a microscope. These cannabis trichomes are unique in that they appear across the entire surface of the plant, unlike their cousins, which tend to cluster most near the plant’s reproductive organs and, eventually, the flower. 

• Capitate sessile trichomes: These trichomes are larger than their bulbous counterparts and appear in greater numbers. They’re also quite small, measuring an average of 10 to 15 micrometers. You need a microscope to see capitate sessile trichomes on the plant surface.
• Capitate-stalked trichomes: When you think of trichomes, this is likely the structure that comes to mind. Capitate-stalked trichomes have long, thin stems that balloon into a spherical top. They’re the most numerous and potent of the cannabis plant’s resin glands. They’re also the largest, typically measuring between 50 and 100 micrometers in width. Skip the microscope — you can see capitate-stalked trichomes with the naked eye. 

Each of these trichomes are glandular trichomes, meaning they have a head that contributes to the production of biologically active compounds, in this case, cannabinoids and terpenes. These trichomes appear most densely around the calyxes of the cannabis plant when it enters the flowering stage of its life cycle.

As the bud of cannabis flower grows, so too do the trichomes. By the time the flower has grown into large, conical colas, glandular trichomes are generally plentiful and visible on the flower and nearby leaves. 

Cannabis also develops non-glandular trichomes, which do not produce cannabinoids and terpenes. Unlike glandular trichomes, non-glandular trichomes appear on young cannabis plants to protect them from environmental conditions and would-be predators.

Benefits of Trichomes

Both glandular trichomes and non-glandular trichomes are essential to the plant’s life cycle. Together, all trichomes play a critical role in plant development, providing pest and disease protection that helps plants survive. 

Here’s a closer look at how cannabis trichomes are key to plant defense.

• Protection from UV rays: Cannabis trichomes are reflective structures that shield the plant from direct UV light. Cultivators use this knowledge to encourage dense trichome production by exposing plants to UV light. This drives the production of more reflective trichomes to ensure the plant is adequately protected as it grows.

• Deterrent against predation: Trichomes and the cannabinoid- and terpene-rich resin within them ward off insects and animals that would otherwise prey upon the plant’s flower. This trichome-led defense is essential because if a cannabis plant’s flower is prematurely eaten or otherwise destroyed, there’s no way for that plant to reproduce.
• Regulation of photosynthesis: Trichomes are also responsible for some core functions of the plant, ensuring that photosynthesis, leaf temperature and other critical aspects of the plant’s health and growth are kept in balance. These core functions are essential to the plant’s survival and healthy growth.

Cannabis plants aren’t the only plants that develop trichomes as they mature, and the defense mechanisms trichomes provide for cannabis aren’t the only things they’re useful for in the plant kingdom. Some plants use trichomes to attract pollinators, while carnivorous plants use them to draw prey.

The Relationship Between Trichomes, Cannabinoids and Terpenes

Trichomes develop in the early stages of a plant’s flowering cycle when the plant prepares to reproduce. In the wild, mature female cannabis plants develop resinous flower, which can be pollinated by male cannabis plants to develop seeds. When the plant dies, it drops those seeds and makes way for the next generation.

However, if a female cannabis plant is left unfertilized, it directs its energy toward flower growth and resin production rather than seed development. More resin production means more cannabinoids and terpenes, which in turn means more potency, bolder flavors and more robust aromas. This is why growers tend to keep male cannabis plants separate from female plants during cannabis cultivation unless deliberately breeding them.

As the trichomes develop and a flowering cannabis plant begins to bloom, cannabinoid synthesis begins in the resin inside the gland. This process occurs in the rounded head of the trichome, which sits atop the stalk. It begins with the production of cannabinoid precursors, which eventually develop into compounds like Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), and Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). Trichomes are also responsible for the production of terpenes like myrcene, limonene and beta-caryophyllene, to name a few.

As the cannabis trichomes fill with cannabinoids and terpenes, they transition from a clear, transparent appearance to a cloudy opaqueness. These are often described as milky trichomes. After this peak, the compounds begin to degrade, and the cloudy, milky color will begin to turn an amber or rusty hue. This is, in part, caused by the degradation of THCA into Cannabinolic acid (CBNA). Most growers aim to harvest the plant at the first signs of amber hues when the plant is generally at its most potent cannabinoid and terpene content. 

It’s important to note that more trichomes doesn’t always mean more cannabinoids and terpenes. First, there is significant variation in trichome production across different strains. And while some plants may be genetically predisposed to develop more trichomes, environmental factors throughout the plant’s life can impact the potency of the flower. Generally, if a plant receives a broader spectrum of light, it produces higher concentrations of these compounds. 

FAQs About Cannabis Trichomes

Want to know more about trichomes? Check out the answers to some of these frequently asked questions about the resin glands of the cannabis plant.

Do Trichomes Get You High?

Trichomes do not directly get you high, but the cannabinoids and terpenes produced within them do. That’s why the trichome-rich kief, the fine dust-like substance that collects in the bottom of your grinder, is so potent. 

What Do Trichomes Look Like When They’re Ready To Harvest?

Trichomes turn amber or rust-colored when the THCA begins to degrade to CBN. Generally, bulbous trichomes change color first. The flower is at its peak of THC production right before this transition begins. 

What Do Milky Trichomes Mean?

Milky trichomes are what you see all over the plant before the trichomes turn to a brownish-amber color. Many growers look for cloudy trichomes as a sign of peak THC production.

Why Are Trichomes Important?

Trichomes are essential because they protect cannabis plants from predators, reflect harmful UV rays and encourage pollination. And when it comes time to enjoy your cannabis flower, trichomes contain the bulk of the terpenes and cannabinoids that influence how you’ll feel.

Can You See Trichomes Without a Microscope?

You can see capitate-stalked trichomes without a microscope, and they appear like a layer of frost or fine hairs across the surface of cannabis flower. They’re visible on many cannabis strains at the dispensary, too. Bulbous trichomes and capitate sessile trichomes are much smaller and require a microscope to observe. 

What Do Trichomes Have To Do With Potency?

Trichomes are where the cannabinoid- and terpene-packed resin of the cannabis plant is produced. Growing cannabis in the right conditions to maximize resin production and harvesting it at the right time can elevate flower potency.

How Can You Preserve Trichomes?

Trichomes can be preserved by storing cannabis flower in cool, dry and dark spaces. Consider using an opaque, airtight container and keeping it in a climate-controlled area. Trichomes can be preserved during the drying and curing of the plant by maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels and consistent airflow in the drying room.

Shop Phenotopia For Quality Cannabis Flower 

If you’re looking for the most potent and flavorful cannabis flower, you’ve got to start with the trichomes. At Phenotopia, it’s our mission to connect consumers with premium cannabis products, including trichome-rich flower. Stop by for the best flower in town and see what we’ve got in store. Order online for pickup!