Identification of Medicinal Cannabis landraces found in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Background and objective: Identification, best preservation protocol and understanding of landraces is crucial in addressingthe current and future agricultural challenges related to medicinal cannabis. Its therapeutic potent and diverse geneticcomposition amongst others has also geared the need for classification and identifying landraces with desired medicinalproperties. This study was conducted to identify the Cannabis landraces found in Lusikisiki, Ingquza Hill, OR Tambo DistrictMunicipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods: Cannabis landraces were collected in three villages where these naturally grow, within the valley forest agroecosystemin Lusikisiki. Prior to specimen collection, each targeted Cannabis were given a unique identifying number todistinguish it amongst the villages and then the plants were tagged for easy identification. Three specimens each werecollected from villages 1 and 3, and two specimens were collected from village 2, summing up to a total of eight specimensfrom the three villages. The sample collection was performed using secateurs and this process was carefully done so thata complete specimen which includes the stem, leaves, and flowers are collected, as these parts are key diagnostic featuresof the plant. After collection, the samples were placed in a presser for drying for a period of seven days. After the dryingprocess, the specimens were mounted onto a standard 42 cm × 29 cm herbarium sheet and deposited for identificationand authentication at Selmar Schonland herbarium, Makhanda, Eastern Cape. Results: Taxonomic analysis indicated that all the eight deposited voucher specimens belong to genus Cannabis and areof sativa specific epithet (binomially known as Cannabis sativa). Conclusion: Therefore, the medicinal Cannabis landraces found in the three villages in Lusikisiki are identified as Cannabissativa.