Volume 2 > Part 4 > Year 1981 > Page 392 > Cannabidaceae > Cannabis

Cannabis sativa L.wfo-0000584001

Sp. Pl.: 1027. 1753; Hook.f., Fl. Br. Ind. 5: 487. 1888; Gagnep.in Fl. Gén. I.-C. 5: 693. 1928; Backer in Fl. Males., Ser. 1, Spermat. 4: 223. f. 1. 1951; Ohashi in Hara, Fl. E. Himal.: 53. 1966; Phengklai, Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 9: 3. f. 2. 1975.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Robust, tall, erect herb, 1–5 m high; all parts viscid pubescent; stems slightly angular. Leaves opposite at base, spirally arranged upwards; stipules erect, filiform or narrowly subulate, ± 0.5 cm long, persistent; petioles 1.5–7 cm long, pubescent; lamina (3–)5–7(–11)-partite; upper ones often undivided, entire; segments narrowly lanceolate, serrate, 4–14 by 0.3–1.8 cm; upper surface scabrid with short, stiff hairs on systoliths, and pubescent with appressed hairs on the under surface; apex acuminate to caudate; base narrowly cuneate; nerves 8–20 pairs, reticulate veins inconspicuous. Male flowers in axillary or terminal panicles with few leaves. Tepals 5, free, finely pubescent, ± 5 mm long. Stamens 5, with slender filaments; anthers dehiscing by an apical pore. Female flowers solitary, axillary and terminal; each flower enveloped by a membranous spathe-like, dark green bract with glandular hairs. Perianth absent. Ovary 1-locular; style short divided into 2 long stigmatic arms; ovule 1. Fruit smooth, shining, yellowish or brownish, ovoid or ellipsoid, ± 4 mm long; seeds with fleshy endosperm.

Thailand : Northern, North-Eastern and Central: cultivated only.

Distribution : Cultivated nearly throughout the world, native of Central Asia, type from India.

Vernacular : Kancha (กัญชา); kancha chin (กัญชาจีน)(Central).

Uses: Fibre from the stems (male plant) for rope making and textile (especially Hill-Tribes in northern Thailand); leaves from female plant as euphoric drug for smoking (hashish).