TRICHOMES AND CANNABINOID CONTENT OF DEVELOPING LEAVES AND BRACTS OF CANNABIS SATIVA L. (CANNABACEAE)

Trichome density and type and cannabinoid content of leaves and bracts were quantitated during organ ontogeny for three clones of Cannabis sativa L. Trichome initiation and development were found to occur throughout leaf and bract ontogeny. On leaves, bulbous glands were more abundant than capitate‐sessile glands for all clones, although differences in density for each gland type were evident between clones. On pistillate bracts, capitate‐sessile glands were more abundant than the bulbous form on all clones, and both types decreased in relative density during bract ontogeny for each clone. The capitate‐stalked gland, present on bracts but absent from vegetative leaves, increased in density during bract ontogeny. The capitate‐stalked gland appeared to be initiated later than bulbous or capitate‐sessile glands during bract development and on one clone it was first found midway in bract ontogeny. Nonglandular trichomes decreased in density during organ ontogeny, but the densities differed between leaves and bracts and also between clones. Specific regulatory mechanisms appear to exist to control the development of each trichome type independently. In addition, control of trichome density seems to be related to the plant organ and clone on which the gland type is located. Cannabinoid synthesis occurs throughout organ development and is selectively regulated in each organ. Typically, cannabinoid synthesis occurred at an increasing rate during bract development, whereas in developing leaves synthesis occurred at a decreasing rate. Cannabinoid content on a dry weight basis was generally greater for bracts than leaves. Analyses of leaves indicate that other tissues in addition to glands may contain cannabinoids, while for bracts the gland population can accommodate the cannabinoid content for this organ. The functional significance of trichomes and cannabinoids in relation to evolution is discussed.