Many of nature’s botanical relationships are surprising. Two plants that have played significant roles in human culture for centuries—one controversial and frequently demonized, the other legally and culturally celebrated—are closely related. Here, we will look at the genetic family tree that links cannabis and hops, revealing several striking analogies in their chemistry and biology.
Botanical Cousins
Cannabis sativa (hemp or marijuana) and Humulus lupulus (common hops) coexist within the Cannabaceae family of plants, making them family, or botanical cousins. Their different reputations indicate varying reputations, although their recent shared evolutionary history explains the ability of both plants to synthesize very similar aromatic compounds—called terpenes—that ultimately contribute to their respective flavor and aromatic characteristics. Many of the earthy, pine strains of cannabis showcase similar, complex tier-based aromas that brewers covet.
Structural Similarities
Both crops produce unique cone-shaped flowers that are covered in resinous, hairy trichomes: microscopic plant hairs, or projections, that secrete the biologically active agents that give each crop its distinct characteristics.
Beyond trichomes, both appear to be dioecious plants: meaning they have distinct male and female plants. This means their male or female plants are anatomically separate from one another. The parts of the female plants—referred to as flowering structures—of cannabis and hops are the sought-after, and harvested parts of the plants.
Chemical Defense Mechanisms
The evolutionary relationship extends to the chemical defense mechanisms employed by cannabis and hops. In cannabis, the phytocannabinoids THC (tetra-hydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the most-studied, chemically. On the flip side, hops produce, among other types of chemicals, lupulone and humulone (bitter compounds). These compounds are naturally chemically synthesized phytocompounds that probably developed as a defense mechanism against herbivores. Interestingly, however, both the Cannabis family and hops farm still develop the same chemotype cellular pathways. This is probably an inherited characteristic from their shared and common ancestor for more complex secondary metabolite production for self-survival.
Practical Implications for Cultivation
The similarity in their lineage has a practical implication. In terms of environmental factors, they like similar growing conditions, patterned growth in stature like hops, well-drained soils, and upward or vertical forms of growing structure. Since they belong to the same genetic family, they can be impacted by similar pests and diseases during the active growing season. Consequently, cultivators could use their experiences with one crop to influence their approach on the harms done to the other.
Surprising Connections in Plant Families
This kinship in regard to the families of these cousins, teaches us to realize that plant families could use surprise connections to link the sacred and the mundane, the controversial and the common, over millions of years of genetic relationships.