The Origin of Cannabis Ruderalis
Cannabis ruderalis is a type of cannabis that is low in THC. It presents different phenotypes than cannabis indica and cannabis sativa. This sets it apart as its own species.
Origins of Ruderalis
In the botany world, a ruderalis plant is one that can grow despite its environment. Due to this, it can withstand harsh conditions. This makes sense given that it’s native to northern climates, particularly Russia.
It was Russian botanist D.E. Janischewsky that first described cannabis ruderalis in 1924. He was the first to classify the plant as its own species. Some historians believe that cannabis ruderalis began with indica genetics. Adapting to their climates, they adapted and evolved into ruderalis seeds.
Today, cannabis ruderalis can be found growing in many countries. Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, and the midwestern United States.
The Characteristics of Cannabis Ruderalis
The characteristics of ruderalis strains are different from other strains of marijuana.
- Shorter than indicas and sativas, cannabis rudralis plants grow between one and three feet tall. They are also much stockier than other types of marijuana.
- Smallest type of marijuana.
- Buds are small but dense.
- Stems are thick and sturdy.
- Resistant to pests and insects.
These are some of the main characteristics of cannabis ruderalis. However, there is one that is even more notable than these. That is the fact that, like most plants in nature, this species does not rely on a light cycle to flower. Instead, it will rely on size and age to propel it into the flowering stage. Typically, cannabis ruderalis will begin flowering at about five to seven weeks.
The Effects of Cannabis Ruderalis
In its purest form, cannabis ruderalis contains very low THC levels. For this reason, ruderalis weed alone will not get a person high or stoned. However, ruderalis effects can be felt if they are crossed with another high-THC strain.
Cannabis ruderalis strains are high in CBD. For this reason, it’s used by many medicinal patients. A ruderalis high will not be psychoactive. It can though, provide benefits for many medical conditions and ailments.
Cultivation of Cannabis Ruderalis
Cannabis ruderalis is not used on its own very much today. There are however, some parts of the world that still rely on it. Russia and Mongolia use it as folk medicine. Here they have found it’s particularly useful when used for depression. Other parts of the world use it in cancer treatment, helping with loss of appetite, and treating sclerosis.
For those that want to use it for recreational purposes, it is crossbred with indica and sativa strains. This breeding results in strains known as autoflowering strains.
Autoflowers provide many benefits to growers. They are hardy like the ruderalis, species, but still provide the medicinal effects of other strains. Autoflowers don’t rely on light to move from the vegetative to the flowering stage. This provides growers with more harvest opportunities per season.
Conclusion
Cannabis ruderalis may be the wildest and most pure form of cannabis.Today cultivators can breed the ruderalis species with another parent plant that has the desired genetics. This combination results in strains of marijuana known as autoflowers. Autoflowering cannabis gives growers the best of both worlds, high THC content and fast harvests.