Cannabis Seed Genetics Glossary: Essential Terms Every Collector Should Know
Cannabis genetics has its own vocabulary.
Understanding that terminology makes reading seed descriptions, researching strain histories and comparing cultivars considerably easier.
Bookmark this Supreme Seed Co. glossary whenever you encounter an unfamiliar term.
Autoflower
Genetics selected for flowering characteristics primarily associated with maturity rather than relying on the conventional photoperiod response.
Backcross
A breeding cross involving offspring and one of its parents or a genetically similar parental line.
Often abbreviated BX.
Breeder
A person or organization involved in developing, selecting or maintaining genetic lines.
Cannabis ruderalis
A term historically associated with cannabis populations noted for autoflowering characteristics and frequently discussed in relation to modern autoflower breeding.
Cultivar
A cultivated variety selected and maintained for particular characteristics.
Cross
Offspring created by combining two parental genetic lines.
Often represented as:
Parent A × Parent B
Dominant Trait
A genetic trait that can be expressed when an individual carries a particular dominant allele.
F1
The first filial generation produced from a particular parental cross.
F2
The second filial generation, generally created from individuals belonging to the F1 generation.
Feminized Seed
A seed produced through breeding techniques intended to overwhelmingly favor female offspring.
Genotype
The genetic makeup of an organism.
Genetics
The inherited biological information passed between generations.
In cannabis culture, “genetics” is also commonly used as shorthand for a particular genetic line.
Germination
The biological process through which a viable seed begins developing into a seedling under suitable conditions.
Hybrid
Genetics resulting from crossing different parental lines.
Indica
A term with botanical, historical and commercial meanings used to classify certain cannabis populations and genetic backgrounds.
Indica-Dominant Hybrid
A hybrid described as displaying stronger ancestry or selected characteristics associated with its indica side.
Landrace
A term commonly used for cannabis populations historically associated with particular geographic regions and relatively limited modern commercial hybridization.
Lineage
The ancestry or family tree of a genetic line.
Male Plant
A cannabis plant expressing male reproductive characteristics.
Parent Strain
One of the genetic lines used to create a cross.
Phenotype
Observable characteristics produced through the interaction between genotype and environment.
Photoperiod
The duration of light and darkness within a daily cycle.
Traditional photoperiod cannabis varieties respond to changes in light duration as part of their flowering process.
Recessive Trait
A genetic characteristic associated with recessive alleles whose expression depends on the genetic combination inherited.
Regular Seed
Traditional cannabis seeds that can produce male or female offspring.
Ruderalis-Derived Genetics
Genetics incorporating ancestry associated with autoflowering cannabis populations historically classified as Cannabis ruderalis.
Sativa
A botanical and commercial classification with a long history in cannabis taxonomy and breeding terminology.
Sativa-Dominant Hybrid
A hybrid described as leaning more strongly toward its sativa-associated ancestry or characteristics.
Seed Bank
A business, collection or preservation resource associated with storing, maintaining or distributing seed genetics.
Stabilization
A breeding process involving selection over generations with the objective of making desired characteristics more consistent.
Strain
A widely used cannabis-industry term for a named genetic line or cultivar.
“Strain” and “cultivar” are frequently used interchangeably in commercial contexts, although their technical meanings aren’t identical.
Trait
An inherited or observable characteristic.
Why Learn Cannabis Genetics Terminology?
Because product names alone don’t tell the entire story.
Once you understand terms such as F1, phenotype, genotype, landrace, backcross, photoperiod and lineage, seed descriptions become significantly more informative.
Instead of seeing:
Strain X Feminized Seeds
you begin asking:
What are the parents?
Is it photoperiod or autoflower?
What generation is it?
Where does its ancestry originate?
What other cultivars share its genetics?
That’s where collecting becomes genetic research.
Continue Exploring
Supreme Seed Co. offers a diverse catalog of classic cultivars, modern crosses, regular seeds, feminized genetics and autoflower varieties.
Use this glossary while exploring the catalog and start investigating the genetic history behind every strain you discover.
Explore Cannabis Genetics at Supreme Seed Co.
Cannabis-related laws differ by jurisdiction. Always understand and comply with the laws applicable to you.