There exist flora in nature that comport an unearthly resemblance to one of the most controversial botanic species : marijuana ( Cannabis sativa ) . While marijuana itself has garnered far-flung attention for its psychoactive place and medicative electric potential , its look - alikes dwell quietly in the natural human race , often unnoticed or misconstrued .
What Does Marijuana Look Like?
Cannabis sativa plants have long , thin stem with large medallion - regulate leaf that are attached to the stem at nodes . These fan - like foliage have a serrate bound that is often likened to a maple leafage .
The cannabis leaf is composed of smaller leaflets that meet at the leafstalk or leaf stalk . leafage march a dark green hue on the upper surface and a lighter ghost underneath , with a covering of fine hairs on both sides .
In summation to leaf feature , the bud social organization of female cannabis flora serve as another identifying feature article . Cannabis sativa yields slow buds shield by minute leaves refer to as saccharide leaves . As these buds approach maturity date , the elongate pistil at their core step by step transition to a rich burnt orange hue , typically occurring during the seventh and eighth weeks of the flowering stage .
Fully develop buds present a crystalline appearance , as if coat with semitransparent crystals formed by resinous glandular trichomes . Clusters of cannabis bud often form tightly - mob formations fuck as cola .
Here is a leaning of plants that look like Marijuana :
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
The Japanese maple , a renowned decorative tree diagram originating from Asia , is often mistaken for the marijuana flora , particularly during its early stage of growth . At this form , the tree exhibit a slender and flexible bow adorned with bright green leave resembling the compound palmate leaf of Cannabis sativa , sport a jagged or serrated margin .
However , the resemblance between the Nipponese maple and cannabis plant life ceases there . As former spring and summer arrive , leaves of Acer palmatum typically undergo a transmutation , showcasing chromaticity of red , pink , and purpleness . With the progression of the first grow time of year , the stem turn matures into a woody structure , thickening into a tree diagram trunk . Notably , Japanese maple leaves lack o.k. hairs ( glabrous ) , unlike cannabis leave of absence which are covered in them .
Southern Marigold (Tagetes minuta)
The southerly marigold , also referred to as Muster - John - Henry , originates from Central America and serve culinary and medicinal purposes . However , due to its speedy spread , the bush is often categorise as a weed , thriving quickly in crop or unbalanced land , including areas near crops , vegetables , forage , orchards , and vacate lot .
In its seedling level , the marigold bears a come across resemblance to the marijuana plant life . Tagetes minuta boast long , slender leaves with delicately serrate edge , similar in appearance to cannabis . Moreover , both plants can attain a comparable sizing .
Despite their visual law of similarity , there survive trenchant features to speciate marigold from marijuana . Marigolds produce diminutive yellow heyday , whereas marijuana yield green and over-embellished bud . Additionally , marigold leaves do not take shape a compound structure composed of leaflets ; instead , each leaf attaches severally to the bow .
Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea)
Sunn hemp and Cannabis sativa are often false for one another due to their like appearing . Originating from India , sunn hemp is far-flung in tropic and subtropical regions worldwide , commonly utilized today as a green manure harvest .
Both industrial cannabis and sunn hemp plants demonstrate resemblance , sport elongated , slender green leaf with serrate edges . corresponding to Cannabis sativa , sunn hemp can make summit of two metre or more , boasting a slender stalk .
Fortunately , distinguishing between the two flora is straightforward . Sunn halter distinguishes itself with bright yellow bloom , contrasting with the green or purple - ting buds of ganja . A close examination reveals that sunn hemp leave of absence are queer ( not compound ) and elliptic in shape , setting them asunder from the parting of ganja .
Coral Plant (Jatropha multifida)
The coral flora , also known as coralbush , originates from Mexico and the Caribbean and conduct a spectacular resemblance to cannabis . Much like marijuana , the coral plant ’s palm tree - form leave of absence consist of leaflets emerge from a undivided point , typically comprising seven to eleven lobe , which can be mistaken for cannabis ( which possesses up to eleven leaflets ) .
However , upon closer scrutiny , distinct differences between coralbush and weed become unmistakable . Unlike cannabis , the leaves of the coral plant are lobed rather than divided into separate leaflet . Additionally , while Cannabis sativa produces bud in subdue green and royal tones , the coral plant showcases clusters of vivacious pink flower .
Moreover , the coralbush is characterized by its unpleasant odor , often liken to cat urine , a feature absent in cannabis . Lastly , when damage , the plant let out a thick white essence , a trait not observe in ganja .
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Okra , renowned worldwide for its edible fleeceable pods and extensive use in traditional medicine , originates from tropical regions of Asia and Africa but is now widespread in gardens across tropic and subtropical region globally .
The confusion between Abelmoschus esculentus and Cannabis sativa often arises due to their like leaf structures , both boast broad unripe , palmate - style leaves and reaching considerable tallness , making them identical from a distance .
These resemblance have leave in noteworthy incidents , such as the Georgia State Patrol mistaking an okra plantation for a cannabis farm during a helicopter surveillance operation . Upon closer inspection , it was reveal to be okra , prompt an excuse from the State Patrol Captain . A more thoroughgoing testing would have foreclose the misunderstanding , as they would have recognized it as a culinary ingredient rather than an illegitimate substance .
Okra is characterized by its large white or icteric flowers , in dividing line to the small fleeceable or empurpled buds and flower of cannabis . Furthermore , while cannabis plant possess up to eleven leaflets , Hibiscus esculentus plant have a maximum of seven lobes . to boot , ripe Hibiscus esculentus plants bring forth distinctive turgid green pods , aid in their distinction from cannabis .
Kenaf(Hibiscus cannabinus)
Kenaf bears such a striking resemblance to cannabis that its botanic name , Hibiscus cannabinus , directly reference it . Originating from Southern Asia and Africa , kenaf is in the main maturate for its character . During its early growth stages , kenaf closely resembles cannabis , with both plants featuring palmate - style leaves lark serrated edges .
Distinguishing between these plant life becomes easier as they age . Hibiscus cannabinus develop vivacious yellow or scarlet bloom stark with sepals , petals , stamens , and carpels , while cannabis yields subtler , more subdued bud . Unlike cannabis , kenaf leaves are lob rather than divided into separate leaflets . humbled get out on the kenaf plant demo a middle - shaped visual aspect , while those high up resemble a palm or star . Conversely , marijuana leaf maintain a consistent shape regardless of their position on the plant .
Chaste Tree(Vitex agnus-castus)
belong to the Verbenaceae family , which counts lemon vervain among its members , the Chaste tree , also know as monk ’s pepper , tucket in bouldered Mediterranean climates . According to caption , monastic supposedly administered it to mortal with excessive libido as an anaphrodisiac , hence the works ’s moniker .
Due to the resemblance of its youthful farewell to marijuana leave , the Chaste tree is frequently mistaken for marijuana . Its leaves are arranged palmately , make up five folder .
Nevertheless , a discerning observer can readily severalise between these two species . Unlike the serrate margin of cannabis leaves , those of the Chaste tree are smooth , with a tenuous curling under at the ends . to boot , the Chaste tree carry large clusters of light purple flowers and berry , a everlasting contrast to the marijuana plant ’s subtler and less conspicuous buds .
