The pot leaf has become one of the most recognizable plants in the world due to its tumultuous, taboo past and its increasing popularity today. The marijuana plant offers various benefits and can be used to aid in treating multiple illnesses or chronic pain. But, why is the pot leaf so recognizable and how long have we known about this plant? Based on research and study, scientists have pointed out that human civilization has been utilizing the marijuana plant since pre-agricultural times. It seems as though even though the opinion of cannabis wavered throughout history,  some people never lost sight of its true potential.

This article seeks to help you understand what a pot leaf looks like as well as some general history regarding the plant. Although the pot leaf has become almost an iconic symbol for stoners and cannabis enthusiasts alike, there is some variety when it comes to what a pot leaf looks like. Stay tuned to learn some interesting facts about pot and gain some insight so you know what a pot leaf looks like.

A Brief Historical Overview Of The Pot Leaf

The history of pot takes us back to the time of cave paintings. Marijuana leaves have been found by archeologists and scientists depicted on cave walls and paintings for millennia. So it seems like some of the first stoners wanted to cement their psychedelic experience to the rest of the world.

Cannabis has been spotted all across the ancient world, stretching from Japan to Egypt, and even to Ancient Greece. Drawings of the pot leaf have even been found in medical journals and textbooks throughout history, depicting the various types of treatments it is capable of providing. It seems the cannabis craze had no boundaries and continued to spread throughout human civilization.

Now, it should be noted that the strains of cannabis that we find depicted on the walls of caves is significantly different than the weed you can purchase from a dispensary. The THC levels we test our cannabis in at today is much stronger and more potent than it was back then. However, what it does illustrate is how much cannabis has played a part in human civilization and how far back we have been using its unique properties.

Read Also [Read This Before You Try Skywalker OG]

What A Pot Leaf Look Like?

Now that you know a little more about the history regarding the pot leaf, it’s time to discuss what a pot leaf looks like. Although a pot leaf has a very distinctive appearance, the overall aesthetic appearance of the pot leaf depends on the type of strain it is. For example, there are three main groupings or categories of cannabis: Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis. Each of these categories has its own unique set of features and attributes. It is important to know the distinctions between each type because they all offer specific experiences and benefits.

Each of these different types of cannabis fall under the same umbrella category known as Cannabis sativa L. The “L” in the name signifies the man who identified and named the species according to modern taxonomic nomenclature, Carl Linnaeus. To clarify, he did not discover the plant since it has already been established that cannabis has been connected to humankind for thousands and thousands of years. He did; however, officially classify it according to our modern classification system that had been used for the past 200 plus years.

Sativa

The first type is cannabis sativa. This is probably the most notable type of pot leaf and the one most people will recognize at first glance. The cannabis sativa leaf can have up to 13 long, slender leaves. These leaves are pronounced, jagged, and come with spiky serrations along the edges. Most sativa leaves are either a light green color or a dark green color.

Sativa leaves can be both male and female. The female plant is where we get the harvested weed that we smoke and the male plants provide us with hemp. Sativa’s provide a more uplifting and energetic high that is typically recommended for day-time use because of its significant cerebral experience.

Hemp can be used for various things and produce more CBD than THC which makes it good for producing CBD-related products. Hemp can also be used as an alternative to plastic and other harmful products that affect the ecosystem. Hemp can be used for various industrial and planet-saving purposes to help pave the way for a sustainable future.

Indica

Next up, the indica leaf. During the original classification, Carl Linnaeus made a mistake. He believed the cannabis plant had only one species—the sativa variety. However, as most people are aware today, that is not the case. There are various types and strains of cannabis out there that boast many unique and positive effects.

The cannabis indica’s leaves are much shorter and wider than the sativa’s leaves and they also contain half as many individual leaflets as compared to the sativa leaf. Indica leaves are also darker green, resembling more of an olive green than light or dark green like the sativa.

Indica’s provide a more relaxed and sedated experience. Indica’s are traditionally reserved for nighttime use and is the strain that can help aid in sleep and manage chronic pain due to its intense body high.

Ruderalis

Ruderalis is a third, less commonly known type of cannabis. This type grew across eastern Europe and was commonly used to treat depression. The leaves on the ruderalis are more similar to the indica leaf; however, there are more leaflets on the ruderalis leaf like the sativa plant and the leaflets are more narrow. Ruderalis typically grows wild and does not cantina as much THC as the two other types of cannabis sativa. Ruderalis has been cross-bred with some indica strains to produce a faster yield and has actually produced some unique results. Ruderalis is used to gather hemp—in most cases—and used for various types of purposes.

Read Also [The Ultimate Guide On How To Make A Water Bottle Bomb]