Hemp Plant Anatomy: From the Roots to the Top

Herbz Depot

Few modern symbols are as iconic as a hemp leaf and the whole hemp phenomenon. But have you ever had a chance to take a closer look at the hemp plant? You may not get the opportunity to get a close look at it in real life, but our guide to hemp plant anatomy will help you know it all.

Hemp plants are pure magic that consists of many parts. They are dioecious, meaning they have different genders, so that plants can be male or female. Male plants pollinate female plants to initiate seed production, although the potent flowers we eat come from these pollinated, seedless female plants. They, known as sinsemilla, are just producing seedless but cannabinoid-rich buds.

Hemp Plant Anatomy in Details

structure of the hemp plant
The illustration shows the structure of the hemp plant.

Hemp is a stem plant that resembles shrubs in appearance. They have one main stem, which, depending on the variety, is more or less branched.

The anatomy of a hemp plant is not very different from any other flowering plant. Five-leaf leaves spread on long, slender cannabis stalks. The silhouette of a hemp leaf has become part of popular culture, so it won’t be hard to recognize it. 

The hemp plant has many very different parts; these are:

  • Seed and roots;
  • Stems thin and long;
  • Leaves, known to all five-leafed leaves;
  • Flowers that are somewhat different in appearance and are striking in their uniqueness.

Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds are distinguished into two types: hemp (Cannabis sativa), i.e., industrial hemp, and cannabis (Cannabis indica), i.e., marijuana.

cannabis seeds

The hemp seed is as a peanut in spherical-elliptical shape, dark brown to an almost black or light gray glossy surface, on which spiral vascular bundles are visible under the surface in the parenchyma layer. They contain 38% fat and 25% protein and are the seed material of hemp. 

In hemp seeds, we can find, among others:

  • Iron, 
  • Vitamins A and E, 
  • B vitamins, 
  • Magnesium, 
  • Calcium, 
  • Zinc, 
  • Potassium, 
  • Phosphorus, 
  • Fiber omega-3 and GLA acids.

Hemp Roots 

Hemp plants have small, whitish roots that like to fill the potting soil. This creates a sponge-like root network needed to meet the plant’s high water requirements. The roots draw water and other essential nutrients for the plant from the soil. As the seed grows, the central taproot grows and branches into a fibrous web in the soil.

Branches and Stems

The stem of a hemp plant extends from the seed to the very tip of the bud and is the heart of all other branches. Cannabis plant stems are usually not used for smoking but can be stored and used to make tea. 

The thickness of the hemp stem will depend on the plant density in the canopy. Optimum thickness between 4 and 8 mm. Its columnar structure allows hemp to grow upwards and sideways. 

Fan and Sugar Leaves

The appearance of the first leaf marks the beginning of the generative phase. About a quarter of the hemp plant’s total mass is made up of leaves.

The leaves are divided into:

  • Sugar leaves—with a spiky structure and a pointed shape. They are located close to the female buds and have many trichomes.
  • Fan leaves—containing a large amount of chlorophyll and stimulating the photosynthesis process. They have pores through which they absorb carbon dioxide.

The leaves are extremely rich in vitamins B and E. The whole cannabis leaves also contain minerals, including calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, and magnesium. You can recognize the condition of the growing plant by the leaves. 

Buds (Flowers)

Since cannabis plants are dioecious, each usually has only male or female flowers, although it is not uncommon for zwitterions to have both types of flowers. Male flowers produce pollen, which pollinates female flowers, which in turn grow seeds.

Before they open, the male flowers resemble tiny pale yellow or light green bananas, the slang name for male flowers. Female flowers have a teardrop-shaped base from which pistils protrude; thin hair-like structures trap pollen from the air to fertilize the flower and produce seeds.

Why Know the Anatomy of a Hemp Plant?

Studying the anatomy of hemp plants can give cannabis users a deeper appreciation of the plant and its potent flowers.

After learning about the hemp plant anatomy, you can try hemp products with even more curiosity, and even better, you don’t have to look for them anywhere because you can do it on our website. Here at Herbz Depot, we can offer a wide range of hemp products at the best quality and an affordable price. The assortment includes CBD flowers, CBD oils, CBD edibles, CBD gel capsules, CBD cartridges, and even products such as Delta 8 and THC-O vape carts.

Closing Remarks

We hope this guide has been helpful for you to understand and appreciate the magnificent hemp plant anatomy.