Landrace strains are something most cannabis consumers may not be familiar with when referred to as such. However, those same consumers will certainly know these strains by their common names. These include some of the most famous strains sold to consumers and used by breeders to create new and exciting varieties of cannabis. This article will discuss what a landrace strain is and some of the most famous examples of landrace cannabis strains from around the world.
It is postulated that cannabis first emerged in the Hindu Kush region of Asia nearly 15,000 years ago. The very same cannabis we enjoy the world over is derived from these ancient strains that have found their way to and been domesticated in unique climates and ecosystems of the world.
From Asia, cannabis was carried to all corners of the globe, as far west as Hawaii and as far south as Africa’s cape. These strains serve as a historical record of cannabis’s birth and evolution in the forms we find it in today.
As farmers saved the seeds from their most impressive plants, the original strains evolved alongside humans’ preference for potent cannabis. Today, there exist remnants of these ancient strains that serve as the foundation for many of the award-winning hybrids and variations we consume today.
Landrace strains, as described above, have come to be domesticated in the regions in which ancient cannabis plants took root. These domesticated strains thrive as a result of their adaptations to their home regions. In this case, seeds of a particular landrace strain will thrive when its native ecosystem can be replicated and it will suffer if not.
For example, the Hindu Kush and Afghani Kush landrace strains of the Middle East will thrive in temperate, mountain-like climates. If one were to introduce these strains to the Caribbean they would fail to thrive because they are not adapted to the heat, extensive sun, and humidity of the island region.
So, as we can determine landrace strains do well in their native habitat, we can also determine that they are poor adapters to contrary climates and ecosystems.
As you can imagine, just about every region of the world has a landrace strain or two that it calls its own. The following breakdown of those global regions will shine a light on what particular climates each’s landrace strain has evolved to fill with exceptional results.
Central Asia – landrace strains hailing from this region tend to be found in the Hindu Kush mountain region. This region is famous for the many Indica strains it has nurtured. Countries that share this region include modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India, and Tajikistan. Among the most popular Central Asian landrace strains are Hindu Kush, Afghani, and Mazar I Sharif.
Southeast Asia – Southeast Asia’s humid and hot climate is a welcome home to many Sativas, which thrive in such conditions. This region includes portions of modern-day countries such as India, Nepal, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Among the more famous landrace strains of this region are Aceh, Luang Prabang, Cambodian, Nepalese and Thai landraces. Each of these strains is considered to be pure Sativa. These strains have taken the common name of “Thai Sticks”, which earned notoriety the world over for their high potency.
Southern and Central Africa – A rich history of trade, turmoil, and settlement have found unique breeds of cannabis taking root in the African continent. Among the more notable strains considered to be landrace of African descent are Swazi Gold, Rooibaard, Kilimanjaro, Malawi, and Durban Poison.
North Africa and the Middle East – From Babylon and beyond cannabis has been a staple of the region for millennia. Alongside the Kush region, the NAME region is the only other location where cannabis is regarded as a native plant. This region is well-known for its hashish [processing as well, with several traditional methods still in use today. Among the more popular landrace strains of NAME are Hindu Kush, Afghani, and Lashkar Gar.
Central America – Similar to the Southeast Asian region, Central America has heat, sun, and humidity in abundance. These three things are what landrace Sativa strains crave. As a result, the region produces some of the top strains in that category. Among the more popular landrace strains from Central America are Lamb’s Bread, King’s Bread, and Acapulco Gold.
South America –just like Central America, South America has an abundance of tropical ecosystems which allow Sativa strains to thrive. The region has high altitude mountainous regions, too. These areas are more conducive to Indica. Overall, the combination of both in one area of the world makes this region a great place for both staple crops of cannabis to call home. Landrace strains from this region include popular names, such as Colombian Gold, Santa Marta Gold, Punto Rojo, and Limon Verde.
