Definition - What does Trichomes mean?
Trichomes are small, hair-like appendages that grow on the leaves of various types of plants. They come in various forms and perform different functions, but they mainly act as a defense mechanism against pests.
In some plants, trichomes contain small barbs or hooks that make it difficult for an insect to eat the soft leaves. Trichomes are also found on some carnivorous plants where they aid with luring prey.
Marijuana contains three forms of trichomes. The bulbous forms, which are the smallest, cover the entire surface of the leaf. Capitate sessile trichomes are larger and far more prevalent, while capitate-stalked trichomes are the largest and most visible to the naked eye.
In addition to being used for the plant’s protection, trichomes also produce cannabinoids as cannabis plants enter the bloom stage. As the plant begins to produce flowers, trichomes begin to form along the outer surface and begin to transport vacuoles and plastids to the gland head. It is during this stage when cells within the gland head will begin to metabolize and eventually become cannabinoids.
A dense quantity of trichomes is an indicator of the quality of the cannabinoids that the plant contains.