Research:2024-08-31/Journal article/identification-of-medicinal-cannabis-landraces-found-in-lusikisiki-eastern-cape-province-south-africa

Research record31 August 2024Journal article

Identification of Medicinal Cannabis landraces found in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Azile Dumani, Tembakazi Theodora Silwana, Babalwa Mpambani, Adebola Omowunmi Oyedeji, Ifeanyi Moses Egbichi, Hlabana Alfred Seepe

Journal of People, Plants, and Environment · 2024

Abstract

Background and objective: Identification, best preservation protocol and understanding of landraces is crucial in addressing the current and future agricultural challenges related to medicinal cannabis. Its therapeutic potent and diverse genetic composition amongst others has also geared the need for classification and identifying landraces with desired medicinal properties. This study was conducted to identify the Cannabis landraces found in Lusikisiki, Ingquza Hill, OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa.Methods: Cannabis landraces were collected in three villages where these naturally grow, within the valley forest agroecosystem in Lusikisiki. Prior to specimen collection, each targeted Cannabis were given a unique identifying number to distinguish it amongst the villages and then the plants were tagged for easy identification. Three specimens each were collected from villages 1 and 3, and two specimens were collected from village 2, summing up to a total of eight specimens from the three villages. The sample collection was performed using secateurs and this process was carefully done so that a complete specimen which includes the stem, leaves, and flowers are collected, as these parts are key diagnostic features of the plant. After collection, the samples were placed in a presser for drying for a period of seven days. After the drying process, the specimens were mounted onto a standard 42 cm × 29 cm herbarium sheet and deposited for identification and authentication at Selmar Schonland herbarium, Makhanda, Eastern Cape.Results: Taxonomic analysis indicated that all the eight deposited voucher specimens belong to genus Cannabis and are of sativa specific epithet (binomially known as Cannabis sativa).Conclusion: Therefore, the medicinal Cannabis landraces found in the three villages in Lusikisiki are identified as Cannabis sativa.

The paper's abstract, reproduced as published.

DOI

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Record created 3 July 2026 · maintained by landrace.wiki editors · page history

Published31 Aug 2024

TypeJournal article

VenueJournal of People, Plants, and Environment

Year2024

DOI10.11628/ksppe.2024.27.4.259

CountrySouth Africa

DOI

2024-08-31 2026-07-03 Identification of Medicinal Cannabis landraces found in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa Journal article Botany Azile Dumani, Tembakazi Theodora Silwana, Babalwa Mpambani, Adebola Omowunmi Oyedeji, Ifeanyi Moses Egbichi, Hlabana Alfred Seepe Journal of People, Plants, and Environment 2024 10.11628/ksppe.2024.27.4.259 https://doi.org/10.11628/ksppe.2024.27.4.259 Identifies eight vouchered Cannabis sativa specimens collected around Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape by morphology only, with no chemotype or genetic work. The first vouchered landrace survey of the Mpondoland heartland. Background and objective: Identification, best preservation protocol and understanding of landraces is crucial in addressing the current and future agricultural challenges related to medicinal cannabis. Its therapeutic potent and diverse genetic composition amongst others has also geared the need for classification and identifying landraces with desired medicinal properties. This study was conducted to identify the Cannabis landraces found in Lusikisiki, Ingquza Hill, OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa.Methods: Cannabis landraces were collected in three villages where these naturally grow, within the valley forest agroecosystem in Lusikisiki. Prior to specimen collection, each targeted Cannabis were given a unique identifying number to distinguish it amongst the villages and then the plants were tagged for easy identification. Three specimens each were collected from villages 1 and 3, and two specimens were collected from village 2, summing up to a total of eight specimens from the three villages. The sample collection was performed using secateurs and this process was carefully done so that a complete specimen which includes the stem, leaves, and flowers are collected, as these parts are key diagnostic features of the plant. After collection, the samples were placed in a presser for drying for a period of seven days. After the drying process, the specimens were mounted onto a standard 42 cm × 29 cm herbarium sheet and deposited for identification and authentication at Selmar Schonland herbarium, Makhanda, Eastern Cape.Results: Taxonomic analysis indicated that all the eight deposited voucher specimens belong to genus Cannabis and are of sativa specific epithet (binomially known as Cannabis sativa).Conclusion: Therefore, the medicinal Cannabis landraces found in the three villages in Lusikisiki are identified as Cannabis sativa. South Africa