A DANGEROUS RESEMBLANCE: 7 PLANTS THAT LOOK LIKE CANNABIS

Experienced growers are easily familiar with the plants they grow. They know what a plant looks like in its vegetative or flowering stage. However, novice growers can sometimes mistake plants that look like cannabis for plants that are not. There are many different types of plants that resemble cannabis and it is not entirely easy to tell them apart. So what plants look like cannabis? In this article, learn more about 7 plants that look like cannabis and their unique properties.

The anatomy of cannabis

Cannabis is most easily recognised by its characteristic leaves. Hemp leaves usually have five to nine tips and are shaped like a fan. They have a scalloped edge that is often compared to a maple leaf. In the centre of each leaf is a small stalk, which is known as a petiole. The leaves are coloured in different shades of green depending on the variety. Cannabis can also have blue, purple or red leaves depending on the growing environment and genetics.

In addition to the leaves, cannabis can also be identified by the structure of the canes of the female plants. Cannabis produces massive canes that are covered by tiny leaves known as sugar leaves. As these buds mature, long, hair-like pistils begin to appear in the centre, gradually turning a deep orange colour.

7 plants that look like cannabis

Cannabis can be mistaken for many different types of plants because, despite its many specific features , it shares some of its appearance with many other plants. For experienced growers the differences are obvious, but for novices they are rather confusing. Knowing the most common plants that can easily be confused with cannabis can be particularly useful if you are considering growing it. Below are a few plants that resemble cannabis.

Palm-leaved maple

People often confuse the palm-leaved maple with cannabis. This is because it has perhaps the most typical appearance of cannabis leaves. Its leaves have 5-6 distinct tips. Like cannabis leaves, the leaves of the palm-leaved maple have a toothed edge. However, the difference is that hemp leaves are narrower and more pointed. In spring, both types of leaves are deep green, but in autumn the leaves of the palm-leaved maple turn greenish-brown or brown.

However, this plant has a strong, woody stem that distinguishes it from cannabis. Unlike the leaves of hemp, which are covered with fine hairs, the leaves of the palm-leaved maple are completely smooth.

Scarlet Hibiscus

In its vegetative phase, the scarlet hibiscus looks like cannabis. Both plants have long slender stems and leaves with scalloped edges that can give the uninitiated the illusion of cannabis. However, the two plants differ in appearance, so experienced growers can easily tell them apart. Most cannabis leaves have 7-9 tips, while hibiscus leaves have 5 tips (3 large and 2 small). Some varieties of the plant also have very small and slender leaves that do not resemble cannabis, while others have dark red stems. In summer, the hibiscus produces scarlet-red flowers, which distinguish it from cannabis.

Hemp hibiscus

Hemp hibiscus is so similar to cannabis that it is named after it. Hemp marigolds are very similar to industrial hemp. While varieties of hemp grown for the sake of obtaining sticks are lush, robust and full of sticks, varieties of technical hemp are tall, slender and have mainly stems. Hemp hibiscus, like hemp, has toothed, pointed leaves and seven leaves on each stem. However, during the growing phase the difference becomes more apparent as the leaves of the hibiscus start to expand and resemble smaller okra leaves.

Once the plants are more spread out, they are easier to spot. Hibiscus produces yellow or scarlet flowers with petals and stamens, while cannabis produces smaller, less distinctive flowers.

Hibiscus edible (okra)

If you've ever grown okra in your garden, you may have noticed that its leaves and flowers closely resemble those of cannabis. Okra and cannabis have similar broad green leaves and can grow to a considerable height. However, a closer look reveals some key differences. The leaves of okra are wider, rounder and not toothed. In contrast, the leaves of hemp are distinctly toothed, narrow and pointed around the edges. The flowers can be very similar to those of cannabis, which often leads to confusion when recognising them. Okra has large white or yellow flowers, while hemp has tiny green or purple stamens. You can also recognise okra by the large green pods that grow on older plants.

Edible cassava

Cassava is a woody shrub native to South America. The cassava leaves resemble the familiar cannabis leaves with 5 to 6 tips. However, cassava leaves are not serrated like those of cannabis. In addition, cassava does not produce any flowers or stamens.

Thorny cassava

This plant has a very similar leaf structure with 5-6 tips and a dark green colour. If you really want to tell these plants apart, you need to look closely at their leaves. Hemp leaves have serrated edges, while the leaves of the thorny-leaved plant are smooth and rounded.

The flower of the thorny plant gradually changes into a completely different looking plant as it moves from the vegetative phase to the flowering phase. It develops a large, thick stem with several protruding leaves, but lacks the density of a cannabis plant. It also produces beautiful pinkish-red, purple or white flowers.

Chinese gingko

Chinese gums are often confused with cannabis because their young leaves are very similar to those of cannabis. Its leaves are as long as those of cannabis and each stem has 5 to 6 leaves, like those of cannabis. However, the edges of the leaves are straight and smooth, without serrations. In addition, the leaves of the Chinese gingko are slightly curved at the edges. In contrast to the more fragile and less distinctive cannabis sticks, the Chinese marigold also produces large spikes of light purple flowers and berries.

Do not confuse cannabis with the above plants!

Looking at these 7 plants that can be mistaken for cannabis, there are some similarities. It is important to note that visual similarity does not always mean that they are cannabis. Proper plant identification is important to avoid confusion and possible health or other problems. There are always some distinguishing features that tell them apart. Cannabis is a more unique plant than most of us would ever admit. It has specific characteristics that distinguish it from other plants in appearance and can make it easily recognisable.

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