What is Cannabis Ruderalis?

Most people have heard of sativa and indica strains, but few are familiar with the obscure third subspecies: cannabis ruderalis. This wild weed of the Russian steppes is not the source of prized bud. But it does have one game-changing genetic trait – automatic flowering. In this article, discover how ruderalis laid the foundations for autoflowering strains and changed cannabis cultivation forever.

What is Cannabis Ruderalis?

Cannabis ruderalis is one of the lesser-known subspecies of the cannabis plant. While most people are familiar with Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, ruderalis remains more obscure but still holds some intriguing properties.

The History of Ruderalis

Cannabis ruderalis is believed to have originated in central Russia, where it adapted to the harsher climates and shorter growing seasons of northern latitudes. The name “ruderalis” comes from the Latin word “rūdera” meaning rubbish or debris, which describes how this subspecies of cannabis grows wild among trash and along roadsides.

Ruderalis was first scientifically identified in 1924 in southern Siberia. But it likely goes back much further to the Stone Age, when early humans may have encountered naturally occurring stands of ruderalis and discovered its medicinal and psychoactive effects. However, ruderalis remained relatively unknown outside of Russia and Central Asia until recently.

Characteristics of Ruderalis

Cannabis ruderalis plants tend to be short and stocky in appearance, reaching only 2-4 feet in height. The leaves are often lighter green in color. But the most defining characteristic of ruderalis is its automatic flowering cycle. Unlike sativa and indica strains that depend on light and darkness to initiate flowering, ruderalis will start flowering on its own after around 21-30 days, regardless of the light cycle.

This autoflowering trait allows ruderalis to complete its life cycle very quickly, usually within 4-6 weeks. It’s an adaptation to the short summers and long winters of northern latitudes that ruderalis evolved in. However, it also means that ruderalis plants have much lower yields and THC levels compared to other cannabis subspecies.

Differences Between Cannabis Indica, Sativa, and Ruderalis

While all cannabis plants belong to the same species, Cannabis sativa L., there are distinct differences between the major subspecies:

• Cannabis sativa typically grows taller and has lower cannabinoid levels. Sativas exhibit more energizing, uplifting effects.
• Cannabis indica is shorter and bushier, with higher THC levels and more sedating, relaxing effects.
• Cannabis ruderalis is the shortest, auto-flowers, and contains only trace amounts of THC, but higher CBD levels in some varieties.

The Effects of Ruderalis

The extremely low THC content of ruderalis means it has only mild psychoactive effects at best. Some varieties may exhibit slight relaxing or analgesic effects from non-intoxicating levels of cannabinoids. But overall, ruderalis will not produce the same high as high-THC strains of indica or sativa.

However, the autoflowering trait of ruderalis has made it valuable for breeding purposes. By crossbreeding ruderalis with photoperiod strains, growers can produce autoflowering hybrids that inherit ruderalis’ automatic flowering while still producing significant THC levels.

Ruderalis: The Beginning of Autoflowers

While historically ruderalis itself has been mostly wild and uncultivated due its low cannabinoid levels, it laid the groundwork for the development of autoflowering cannabis strains. These strains revolutionized cannabis cultivation by making it possible to grow multiple harvests per season, even in northern latitudes with short summers.

The first autoflowering hybrids emerged in the 1980s and 90s, but remained relatively obscure at first. It wasn’t until the 2000s that autoflowering strains saw a surge in popularity and availability. Today there are hundreds of autoflowering strains on the market, allowing growers to easily produce crops from seed to harvest quickly and efficiently.

Though autoflowers still do not match photoperiod varieties in terms of cannabinoid content, advanced breeding has closed the gap significantly. Top-shelf autoflowering strains now routinely reach over 22% THC and offer the full spectrum of effects associated with premium cannabis.

Ruderalis Genetics: Autoflowering Strains From Crop House Seed Bank

Crop House Seed Bank offers a range of autoflowering cannabis strains derived from ruderalis genetics:

1. Acapulco Gold Auto: This autoflowering version of the classic Mexican landrace Acapulco Gold produces impressive yields in just 80 days. The buds have a sweet, earthy aroma and cerebral, energizing high.
2. Runtz Auto: The autoflowering Runtz hybrid exhibits the same fruity flavors as the original, along with a relaxing euphoric high. It flowers in just 8-9 weeks indoors or out.
3. Pink Runtz Auto: A pink-pheno, autoflowering take on the Runtz family. These pretty pink buds have a sweet candy-like scent and deliver a dreamy, euphoric high in around 75 days.
4. Gorilla Glue Autoflower: The ultra-sticky Gorilla Glue #4 strain crossed with ruderalis genetics produce huge, resinous buds in 9-10 weeks with a powerful body high.
5. Girl Scout Cookies Auto: This autoflowering Girl Scout Cookies yields the same signature cookie flavors and cerebral, feel-good high effects of the original.
6. Rainbow Glue Auto: A colorful autoflowering strain exhibiting fruity flavors and a balanced, creative high. Finishes flowering in 75-85 days.

These ruderalis-derived strains allow home growers to harvest premium cannabis multiple times per season. Their highly stabilized autoflowering genetics eliminate the need for meticulous light cycle control.

In Conclusion

While cannabis ruderalis long remained an obscure subspecies of weed, its autoflowering genetics have had a huge impact on cannabis breeding and cultivation. Ruderalis laid the groundwork for an entire class of auto-flowering strains that have made growing cannabis much more accessible and efficient. And advanced hybrids continue to improve the potency and terpene profiles of autoflowers, closing the gap with photoperiod cannabis. While ruderalis itself may not have much value as consumable cannabis, its influence on the industry is undeniable.

Cannabis Ruderalis FAQs

Does Ruderalis make you high?

No, ruderalis typically contains only trace amounts of THC, so it does not induce intoxicating effects by itself. However, ruderalis genetics can pass on autoflowering traits when bred with high THC cannabis strains.

What is Ruderalis cannabis used for?

Primarily breeding purposes. Ruderalis is crossed with photoperiod indica and sativa strains to create autoflowering hybrids. Ruderalis itself has limited uses due its low cannabinoid levels.

How strong is Ruderalis?

Ruderalis generally contains less than 1% THC content by dry weight. So it is not considered a potent form of cannabis. The high from pure ruderalis is minimal.

Does Ruderalis contain CBD?

Some varieties may contain small amounts of CBD, around 1-2%, but most ruderalis has low cannabinoid levels overall. When bred with high-CBD strains, ruderalis can produce CBD-rich autoflowering seeds.

Is Ruderalis psychoactive?

In its pure form, ruderalis only has very mild psychoactivity from trace cannabinoids. But autoflowering hybrids that contain mainly sativa or indica genetics can produce strong psychoactive effects.

Does Ruderalis smell?

Pure ruderalis has little discernible aroma. But ruderalis-based hybrids can inherit terpene profiles and aromatic qualities from whichever other parent strain they are crossed with.

Is Ruderalis a sativa or indica?

Ruderalis is its own distinct subspecies of cannabis, neither sativa or indica. However, through selective breeding, ruderalis can take on sativa-like or indica-like traits depending on its crossed parentage.