Research:2026-06-01/Journal article/exploring-indigenous-knowledge-on-cultivation-uses-and-morphological-differences-of-cannabis-landraces-in-sout

1 Jun 2026 Journal article

South Africa

Exploring Indigenous knowledge on cultivation, uses and morphological differences of Cannabis landraces in South Africa

Vuyisile Valencia Ndlangamandla, Adeola Salawu-Rotimi, Vuyiswa Sylvia Bushula-Njah, Gugu Fortunate Sibandze, Nompilo Lucia Hlongwane, Fikisiwe Cynthia Gebashe, Nokuthula Peace Mchunu

Systems Ethnopharmacology and Sustainable Bioresources · 2026

Reports an ethnobotanical survey of 95 Cannabis growers across four South African provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, carried out between November 2023 and November 2024. Ninety-seven per cent of growers recognised distinct landraces and 25 colloquial names were recorded, among them Swazi, Local and Insangu. Field observation of height, leaf traits, scent and flower colour grouped the named landraces into two clusters irrespective of where they were collected or what they were called locally. Thirty-eight per cent of participants reported selling mainly to recreational users and one per cent reported traditional ritual use. The authors conclude that growers' naming does not reliably track morphological or genetic diversity and that morphology alone cannot capture it. The record documents vernacular landrace nomenclature for the South African material covered elsewhere in this corpus.

Source DOI

2026-06-01 2026-08-08 Exploring Indigenous knowledge on cultivation, uses and morphological differences of Cannabis landraces in South Africa Journal article Vuyisile Valencia Ndlangamandla, Adeola Salawu-Rotimi, Vuyiswa Sylvia Bushula-Njah, Gugu Fortunate Sibandze, Nompilo Lucia Hlongwane, Fikisiwe Cynthia Gebashe, Nokuthula Peace Mchunu Systems Ethnopharmacology and Sustainable Bioresources 2026 10.1016/j.sesb.2026.100029 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sesb.2026.100029 Reports an ethnobotanical survey of 95 Cannabis growers across four South African provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, carried out between November 2023 and November 2024. Ninety-seven per cent of growers recognised distinct landraces and 25 colloquial names were recorded, among them Swazi, Local and Insangu. Field observation of height, leaf traits, scent and flower colour grouped the named landraces into two clusters irrespective of where they were collected or what they were called locally. Thirty-eight per cent of participants reported selling mainly to recreational users and one per cent reported traditional ritual use. The authors conclude that growers' naming does not reliably track morphological or genetic diversity and that morphology alone cannot capture it. The record documents vernacular landrace nomenclature for the South African material covered elsewhere in this corpus. South Africa