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This is the stinging hair of Urtica (Stinging Nettle). It is is a single cell. The tip has a weak spot that is easily broken by contact. Note that the base is swollen like a sprayer bulb. Compression on the bulb leads to the injection of irritant liquid as the sharp tip facilitates its entrance into your epidermis.Stinging nettles in Hawaii lack the irritating chemicals. | ||
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This is a secretory trichome from Coleus, a member of the mint family. These and similar trichomes have a secretory head which is multicellular. In this case, the secretion builds up between the thin cuticle and the cell walls of the secretory cells. Eventually the cuticle will rupture and the volatile oils will be released. This is hastened if the leaves are rubbed. Most of the common culinary herbs from the Mediterranean have trichomes like these. | ||
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A secretory trichome viewed with SEM. | ||
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Inflorescence of Cannabis sativa. Note the many trichomes. Cannabis produces several different types of secretory trichomes on different structures. Some hairs produce tetrahydrocannabinol which is an intoxicating substance. | ||
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Cannabis plant showing its characteristic palmately compound leaves. Non-Intoxicating Cannabis strains produce stem fibers like hau and flax. They are lignified and brittle and are used for the production of twine in the 3rd world. Some people have proposed growing hemp in Hawaii. I hope that the potential economic value of this enterprise has been exhaustively studied to insure that hemp fibers can generate real jobs in Hawaii. | ||
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SEM images of Cannabis trichomes. Note the variety! | ||
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