Cystolith Hair
Definition
A non-glandular, hook-shaped unicellular trichome in Cannabis that contains a calcium carbonate deposit (cystolith) in its base. Visible under low magnification, it is the primary morphological diagnostic for the genus.
- Location
- Cannabis leaf and stem surface
- Cell type
- Non-glandular, unicellular trichome
- Shape
- Hook-shaped
- Diagnostic feature
- Calcium carbonate deposit (cystolith) at base
Common questions
Why is the cystolith hair considered a primary diagnostic feature rather than a supporting one?+
Its hook shape combined with the calcium carbonate deposit at its base is distinctive enough under low magnification that examiners can use it alone to confirm Cannabis genus identity, without needing chemical confirmation for a preliminary determination.
How does a cystolith hair differ from the glandular trichomes that produce cannabinoids?+
Glandular trichomes are the resin-secreting structures that carry THC and other cannabinoids, while cystolith hairs are non-glandular and produce no resin, serving instead as a purely morphological identification marker rather than a chemical one.
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