In cannabis and hemp, trichomes are the sticky, shiny, aromatic little crystals that cover the flowers and leaves of matured plants. These microscopic mushroom-shaped outgrowths are the plant’s manufacturing centers for producing the hundreds of known cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that make each strain/variety unique, delicious, aromatic and potent.
The word “trichome” originates from the Greek word“ Tríchōma,” which means “growth of hair”. Trichomes can be found in many species of plants, serving various purposes. In hemp and cannabis plants, trichomes function as a defense mechanism against winds and certain types of fungal growth, also acting as a deterrent for animals and bugs because of their bitter taste and strong aromas.