title: [Characteristics of Cannabis sativa L.: seed morphology, germination and growth characteristics, and distinction from Hibiscus cannabinus L].
abstract: Illegal cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivation is still a social problem worldwide. Fifty inquiries on cannabis that Research Center for Medicinal Plant Resources (Tsukuba Division) received between January 1, 2000 and March 31, 2009 were itemized in to 8 categories; 1: seed identification, 2: plant identification, 3: indoor cultivation, 4: outdoor cultivation, 5: germination and growth characteristics, 6: expected amount of cannabis products derived from illegal cannabis plant, 7: non-narcotic cannabis and 8: usage of medicinal cannabis. Top three inquiries were 1: seed identification (16 cases), 3: indoor cultivation (10 cases) and 4: outdoor cultivation (6 cases). Characteristics of cannabis, namely seed morphology, germination and growth characteristics, and distinction from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) that is frequently misjudged as cannabis, were studied to contribute for prevention of illegal cannabis cultivation.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Medicinal Plant Resources, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Ibaraki, Japan. yoshimat@nibio.go.jp
authors.forename: Kayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshimatsu
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitazawa
authors.forename: Noriaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kawano
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kawahara
mesh_terms: D002188:Cannabis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D018525:Germination / Q000502:physiology*; D031584:Hibiscus; D012639:Seeds / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods