Actual Sativa & Indica Difference

[philthegeek]

Came across this article recently.

Everything Your Weed Guy Knows About Weed Is Probably Wrong - VICE

Was searching for info on an Australian variety i have heard of called Morphet Late. (not sure of exact spelling.

Anyway, NOT wanting to start some kind of flame war, but am interested on other peoples opinions on the taxonomy of cannabis.

Interesting comment.

"So now people have to say "oh it's a 60/40 indica/sativa!" Oh yeah, how the fuck do you know that?"

And:

"Well, what is an indica and what is a sativa?

Well, a sativa means it's been cultivated, which is all cannabis. It's all cultivated so everything's a fucking sativa! And an indica means it has to comes from India."

And the comments on Linnaeus and Lamark.

Have had a bit to do with algal and plant taxonomy in a professional sense. Mainly collecting and helping some really top flight taxonomists collect in the field. The fun part of that job.

Whats become apparent in the last few years is that many algae that were thought to be different species (based on traditional morphological classification) are not. DNA sequencing proves it. Same genetics, different environmental factors, very different looking plant.

Anyone know if there actually enough differences in the DNA of whats called Indica and Sativa for them to be different species, or just different varieties of the same species?

Now ruderalis with its "autoflower" capability may be differed??

 

[Jackalope]

re: Actual Sativa & Indica Difference

They are different plants with different characteristics. Some say they both come from China Yunnan. So in a way you might be right. China Yunnan carries characteristics of both indica and sativa. Early distribution may have created environmental factors. In the end it is just guessing everyone wants to explain the past. Lots of continents have both indica and sativa varieties. Thai has both a indica and a sativa dominate plant. Some strains like the Hindu Kush show signs of being a natural hybrid or really early cross made for what ever reason. Seeds, spices, and everything have been traded for centuries. Marijuana/hemp had value in so many different ways their seeds and product were traded also. Humans for ever have tried to make things better. Who knows when the first hybrid was made. Even more important is why the first hybrids were made. They are DNA testing weed these days mapping the genetics of a lot of strains. We are finding out more every day which in turn creates even more questions.