Double Trichome :~)

…what does it mean?!

sometimes people don’t understand “WHY?” ..it’s an adaptation to be more protective. Think shield. If a pest stops by and bursts one gland another gland is waiting for the next pest. BUT multi glands are also structural. Usually the main gland is on the larger size 120-150µm. With the extra glands being in the 70-90 micron range. Sothe plant is also trying to protect itself from a gland structurally too big and prone to burst, as the oils inside are self-toxic. That is the reason for storing them out and away from itself, and the purpose of stalks, to get the more toxic chemicals farther away.

Check out this Scientific Article that explains this and how “multi-gland” trichomes are technically considered peltate trichomes meaning shield.

“The morphology of glandular trichomes in various plant species has been well documented . Generally, these trichomes can be classified into two main types: capitate and peltate trichomes. Both types share common structural components such as gland cells, stalk cells, and basal cells. However, peltate trichomes are distinct in having a greater number of gland cells compared to capitate trichomes. Additionally, peltate trichomes possess a subcuticular/intercellular cavity within gland cells. The morphological differences result in the synthesis and storage of distinct types of compounds. Capitate trichomes have limited storage capacity and primarily synthesize the nonvolatile or low-volatility compounds.”

I also like how they point out that different gland types contain different compounds. Capitate Sessile are the short ones without stalks. This Scientific Article also shows with UV light that the short capitate glands contained more less-volatile sesquiterpenes, while the typical tall capitate-stalked glands contained more volatile monoterpenes that can act like solvents to the plants green epidermis.

Here’s a good quote; “As with the whole calyces, terpene profiles in samples collected from stalked trichomes were dominated by monoterpenes (92%), with a monoterpene:sesquiterpene ratio over 12. As previously noted (Turner et al., 1978), sessile trichomes on the epidermis of mature calyces could not be sampled without cross-contaminating with stalked trichomes, so sessile trichomes’ storage cavity contents were sampled from anthers and vegetative leaves. Consistent with the whole vegetative leaf results, the individual sessile trichomes from vegetative leaves sampled by microcapillary contained very low monoterpenes compared to sesquiterpenes.”

EDIT (2/28) Here is an article about how multigland trichomes on tomatoes contain a wider range of secondary metabolites. It clearly states type VI trichomes (four-celled head) produce a variety of metabolites including terpenoids and methylketones, while the single-celled type I and IV trichomes are primarily limited to acylsugar production. Quote; “This morphological difference (multigland) is important because it allows large quantities of secondary metabolites to accumulate.. and thereby contribute to an increased resistance against pests.

Sooo… multi-glands should* contain a wider range of secondary metabolites (oils), even rarer hard to produce flavorants like methyl compounds that create new unique flavors; since they have more secretory disc cells (oil factory) than the typical capitate stalked or single gland trichome. (yes we’ve counted the disc cells too) Also we’ve experienced complex indole and skatole flavors in our large-gland genetics like the dimethyl compounds found in ‘JOMO’ and mothball/basement flavors in ‘Baker’s Dozen’, as well as isoamyl acetate, a banana-characteristic ester not typically associated with cannabis trichome chemistry. These are not terpenes, they represent entirely different compound classes, which is consistent with what you’d expect from a peltate architecture with greater and more diverse secretory capacity.

Big fan of this this post from Front Row Ag. We appreciate all the comments pointing out our work.

Caleb Chen at The Highest Critic was up to speed back in 2024.