The cannabis plant, scientifically known as Cannabis sativa L., is recognizable due to its fan-shaped foliage. The overall leaf is a compound structure composed of separate segments, often mistaken for individual leaves. These segments are correctly termed leaflets, and their count is determined by the plant’s age and genetic lineage.
The Typical Leaflet Count of Mature Cannabis
The fan-like structure of the cannabis plant is a single, compound leaf, with the individual segments correctly termed leaflets. A healthy, mature plant typically displays five to nine leaflets, with seven or nine being the most frequently observed counts.
This structure is classified botanically as a palmate compound leaf, where all leaflets radiate outward from a single central point at the end of the petiole. While five to nine is the standard range, vigorous specimens or specific genetic varieties can produce leaves with up to eleven or thirteen leaflets. The total number of leaflets is a direct indicator of the plant’s health and stage of growth during the vegetative phase.
Factors That Alter Leaflet Numbers
The number of leaflets changes significantly throughout the plant’s life cycle. When the plant first sprouts, the first true leaves typically have only one leaflet. The next set of leaves usually develops three leaflets, and the number continues to increase sequentially as the plant matures through its vegetative stage.
Genetic heritage is a primary determinant of the final leaflet count and morphology. Cannabis sativa-dominant strains often exhibit a higher number of leaflets, frequently showing nine to thirteen narrow segments. Conversely, Cannabis indica-dominant strains feature broader leaves with a lower count, typically five to nine. Cannabis ruderalis or its hybrids may show even fewer, sometimes only three to five leaflets per leaf.
The environment can also cause temporary changes to the leaflet count, often resulting in fewer than five segments. A mature plant may revert to producing leaves with three leaflets if subjected to significant stress, such as light cycle interruptions or extreme temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, during the final stages of flowering, the smaller leaves near the flowers, known as sugar leaves, will often have fewer segments.
Basic Botany of the Cannabis Leaf
The petiole is the structure that connects the leaf to the main stalk of the plant. The individual segments are leaflets that collectively form the compound structure. The edges of each leaflet are serrated, possessing small, saw-toothed points that angle toward the tip.
The main purpose of these large fan leaves is to capture light energy for photosynthesis. The leaves contain chlorophyll, the pigment necessary to convert light, water, and carbon dioxide into the sugars that fuel growth. They also play a role in transpiration, regulating the plant’s temperature and drawing water and nutrients upward from the roots.
The leaf surface is covered with tiny structures, including stomata on the underside, which are microscopic pores that control gas exchange. Specialized glandular trichomes may also be present, particularly on the sugar leaves near the flowers. These trichomes are responsible for the production of cannabinoids and terpenes.