While you are somewhat familiar with indica and sativa stains of marijuana, have you ever heard about cannabis ruderalis? The less well-known and often overlooked classification of cannabis has characteristics and benefits that can be meaningful for individuals who use marijuana for medical purposes. Here we are going to look at ruderalis strains, examine its specific characteristics, cannabinoid composition and its unique user advantages.
What Is Cannabis Ruderalis?
Although once known as an ancestor of other cannabis species, ruderalis strains are now recognized as a species of its own. Ruderalis is a hard species of cannabis that mainly grow in Asia and Russia at the present time. It is the most valued species for the marijuana breeders who cross breeds it and other species for producing hybrids with some features such as auto flowering. Ruderalis produces less yield of flowers than other cannabis species due to their small size and limited branches. While it may be a drawback for some individuals, the smaller size of the plants makes them an ideal choice for patients with medical marijuana who want to cultivate their own plants in their homes but are confined indoors. In addition, unlike other species, ruderalis do not need any special lighting, which also makes them ideal in any latitude for outdoor plants.
Origin of Ruderalis cannabis
Cannabis ruderalis is said to have originated in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and particularly in Russia thousands of years ago, where they continue to grow as weeds. The term “ruderalis” is derived from the root term “ruderal,” which means a species that is the first one to colonize man-made soil in the plant world. Wild ruderalis grow even today near high-traffic areas such as roads. It was first classified in 1924 after Janischewsky, a Russian botanist, was doing study on cannabis and saw a plant with unique shape, size and seed than other cannabis plants.
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What does it mean to autoflower?
Unlike other species, C. Ruderalic auto flowers. Auto flowering applies to the transition from cultivation of ruderalis seeds to flowering, no matter if the life cycle changes. For patients with medical marijuana, the flowering phase is important. When cannabis plants produce flowers with high levels of cannabinoid and other useful compounds. Regardless of the light to dark ratio, modern ruderal plants begin to flower on their own 3 to 4 weeks after sprouting out of its ruderalis seeds. This is unlike Indicas and sativa, which do not flower automatically. Instead, it is the “photoperiod,” which means that they can only start producing flowers after at least 12 hours of exposure to darkness every day. Growers also must activate the flowering process of photovoltaic plants through lighting adjustments.
Ruderalis is usually thought to have adapted the ability to auto flower after originating from far north of the equator, where lights are not only limited but also regularly changes. Although photoperiod species such as sativa may only flower under strict indoor regulation, in which time of light and darkness is regulated or when light is reduced during the winter season, auto floral plants will flourish everyplace and produce flowers all year round.
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Effect on the body
Naturally, ruderalis types of cannabis are higher in cannabidiol (CBD), the most popular non-psychoactive cannabinoid in recent years. It produces little tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC), the high psychoactive euphoric agent. Over 100 cannabinoids, mainly CBD and THC, are present in cannabis. Cannabinoids interact with the cannabinoid receptor in the endocannabinoid system to adjust the release of neurotransmitters in the brain in order to maintain balanced functions of the body. Since CBD and THC are high in ruderalis family, it is a more popular option for consumers interested in the natural benefits of cannabis plants, while trying to avoid the usually marijuana-related euphoric effects.
Conclusion
Overall, little known by most marijuana consumers, C. Ruderalis stand apart because of its growing nature and signature effects. Because of its auto flowering genes, the cannabis species is now making its name known and gaining respect to the scene. The unique features it carries are attractive to many growers.