Sativa vs. Indica

Greetings fellow Earthlings!

May your light shine bright!

Let's take a few minutes to discuss the differences between Sativa and Indica, and what it means in Cannabis nomenclature.

Left Black Cookies leaf Right Zamaldelica leaf

Within the cannabis world, Sativa and Indica are commonly understood as describing two distinct varieties of cannabis (In the rest of the plant world, Sativa simply means "cultivated", and Indica means "of India")

Sativa plants, also referred to as NLD (Narrow Leaved - Drug), refer to cannabis originating from equatorial regions around the world. The leaves are usually long and thin, and the plants can grow quite taller than their "Indica" relatives. Buds are usually looser, and the effects are quite often more of a head buzz, ranging from euphoric to racy and paranoia inducing.
These varieties usually have a much longer flowering time vs. Indica, ranging upwards of 20 weeks for some of the Hazes.

Sativa Zamaldelica flower - Zamaldelica is a cross of African, Malawi and Thai, making this 100% sativa

Indica plants, also referred to as BLD (Broad Leaved - Drug), refer to cannabis originating from Afghanistan and Pakistan (mostly). As the name suggests, these plants have broader leaves. Buds can be more compact, and the effects are thought to be more of a body buzz, ranging from relaxing to heavily sedative. These plants are shorter in structure, and also have a shorter flowering time.

Unknown Northern Lights variety - Northern Lights is considered to be an Indica leaning polyhybrid

Truth of the matter is, most varieties we consume today are some form of hybrid. This is because by combining sativa with indica, you can breed for a myriad of traits, for example shortening the flowering time. You can also combine every other trait, ultimately creating infinite combinations. You can absolutely cross sativas with sativas, or indicas with indicas, without creating a hybrid, but because of commercial viability, remember the shortening of flowing time, pure sativas are almost non existent in the commercial market, while it is only slightly easier to find an uncrossed indica, as in a pure afghan. One of the best improvements in hybrids come from the effect, combining the uplifting high of a sativa, with the relaxing stone of an indica.

Frack ‘91 aka (Mac x Freakshow) x Rowdy Chem - this is a great example of a hybrid, as there are many varieties of sativa and indica in the lineage

Thanks for reading, stay lifted and gifted friends.

All photos were taken by me, using a Nikon D5300 DSLR