Plant Anatomy
Also known as: trichomes
Tiny resin glands on cannabis flowers that produce cannabinoids and terpenes; their color signals ripeness.
Trichomes are the microscopic, mushroom-shaped resin glands that coat cannabis flowers and surrounding leaves. They produce nearly all of the plant's cannabinoids and terpenes, giving quality flower its frosty appearance. Growers judge harvest timing by trichome color under magnification: clear means immature, milky/cloudy means peak THC, and amber means the THC is degrading toward more sedative CBN. Trichome timing is the most reliable harvest indicator.