Landraces

About Landraces

The first strains were the wild species that evolved and grew around the planet. Growing in different regions and climates forced the plants to evolve differently. These wild species are referred to as landraces. Landraces are considered to have pure genetics because they have never been crossed with other strains. It is estimated that the first landrace evolved in Central Asia somewhere in the Hindu mountains of Pakistan. 

The Cannabis plant is hypothesized to have diverged from the Humulus genera about 27.8 million years ago from the northeastern Tibetan Plateau in Central Asia. This region had experienced a significant climate shift when the Himalayan Mountains formed over the last 40-50 million years ago. The Cannabis plant adapted to harsh weather and winds, lower oxygen levels, and high ultraviolet exposure. One thing the plant did not select for in its resilient evolution; dispersal mechanisms. The cannabis plant does not spread its seeds over much distance but rather regrows in the same soils its mother left behind, to reabsorb the organic nutrients. Instead it relies on animals, most notably, humans.


The Cannabis plant, and its survival abilities, allowed it to thrive in a wide range of climates and regions across the globe. As the plant migrated with human cultivation, it adapted to new environments, as well as human selection. Over time different strains of the Cannabis plant evolved into the “landrace strains” we know today. A strain is a subtype of the species with distinct genetic characteristics across a degree of variability. Landrace strains are touted for their unique characteristics from appearance to effects.


There is much confusion about what sativa and indica mean, as well as what the differences are. In terms of horticulture and cannabis evolution, sativa and indica refer to the plant’s visual differences. Landraces exhibited very different characteristics. 


Landraces are named simply by the location in which they evolved. Some regions, particularly Asia, have many subregions that gave rise to distinct strains. 


Landraces with desirable traits were selected for breeding. Cultivars would inbreed the wild plants until they had a stable and consistent yielding plant. Once stable genes were established, this inbred landrace (aka heirloom) could be cloned and harvested or crossed with another landrace to create a hybrid. Many of these were selected and cloned over various time periods. While some were naturally selected as far back as the last ice age, some were more recently created. Four landrace inbreds have birthed prominent genetic family trees; Northern Lights, Alien Technology, Hindu Kush, and Mendocino Purps/Purple Urkle.


Landrace genetic families:


Here is a list of common landraces inbreds:


As the plant evolved, it developed new characteristics and subsequently various effects when consumed. The differences between landraces is drastic and they often produce unique effects. In the modern cannabis market, landrace strains can be challenging to find. So many strains have been crossed to create hybrids that the pure landraces are quite rare, however some have been preserved by upscale cultivars.

These famous landraces and heirlooms were used to create hundreds of hybrids. Cultivars try to combine strains that could share desirable traits. For example, the dense flowers come from Indica varieties and this is why so many strains have Afghani genetics. First generation hybrids have led to some of the most well-known cannabis strain families.

Below are common "landrace" strains that have evolved from all over the world. 

True landraces are extremely rare, if you beleive they still exist at all. Landrace "inbreeds", or heirlooms, have been preserved for their strong genetics and unique characteristics. Some of these have been selected for hybridizing and created famous family trees. 

Key:

G0 = Landrace

G0i = Landrace inbreed