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

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.