HerbWildAnnualMedicinal

Cannabis sativa L.

Marijuana · Hemp · Bhang

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Description

Cannabis sativa is an erect annual dioecious herb, usually 1–5 m tall, with a stout, angular, branched stem. Leaves are alternate above and opposite below, palmately compound with 5–11 narrow lanceolate leaflets having sharply serrated margins. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. Male flowers are small, greenish, and arranged in loose terminal panicles, while female flowers occur in compact axillary clusters enclosed by leafy bracts. Fruits are small, dry, one-seeded achenes, smooth, grey to brown, commonly known as hemp seeds.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Tall aromatic annual with palmately compound serrated leaves.

Floral

Male and female flowers on separate plants; male flowers in loose panicles and female flowers in dense axillary clusters.

Fruit & Seed

Small smooth one-seeded achenes enclosed by persistent bracts.

Distribution

Native range: Central Asia.

Introduced range: Widely cultivated and naturalized throughout temperate and tropical regions.

In Pakistan: Occurs throughout Pakistan, both cultivated and naturalized.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: June–September Fruiting: August–October

Ethnobotany & Uses

Fiber Uses

The stems produce strong fibers (hemp) used for making ropes, textiles, paper, and other industrial products.

Seed Uses

Seeds are rich in protein and edible oil and are used as food and livestock feed.

Medicinal Uses

Traditionally used for pain relief, digestive disorders, and various medicinal applications under regulated conditions.

Other Uses

Widely cultivated for fiber, seed, and medicinal purposes in many countries.

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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Cannabis sativa is the only widely cultivated species of the genus Cannabis. It is readily recognized by its palmately compound leaves and dioecious habit. The species contains biologically active cannabinoids, with their concentration varying among cultivated forms. The accepted name follows Flora of Pakistan, Plants of the World Online (POWO), and World Flora Online (WFO).