Abstract
Title: Legítimo® – A Morphologically Atypical, Genetically Verified Mutational Line of Cannabis sativa L.
Archive Code: KAS–LEG–V–1998–2026
DOI: 10.5523/KAS.LEG.V.1998–2026
Background:
Morphologically unusual phenotypes of Cannabis sativa L. may lead to taxonomic misinterpretations, particularly when leaf architecture and juvenile growth patterns deviate from established reference forms. The line Legítimo® was temporarily associated with Humulus japonicus due to hop-like leaf morphology and partial climbing tendencies observed during early developmental stages.
Methods:
Between 2003 and 2026, cytological analyses (chromosome counts), molecular marker testing, and SNP profile comparisons were conducted against a reference panel of more than 1,000 Cannabis samples. Multigenerational phenotypic documentation complemented the genetic investigations.
Results:
The line exhibits a stable diploid chromosome set and lacks Humulus-specific genetic markers. Its SNP profile is statistically unique within the comparison cohort while remaining entirely within the species boundaries of Cannabis sativa. Morphologically, the line displays structural modifications affecting leaf segmentation and internodal architecture, whereas reproductive structures, glandular trichomes, and resin production remain characteristically Cannabis-typical.
Conclusion:
Legítimo® does not represent an intergeneric hybrid but rather an endogenous mutational line of Cannabis sativa. The findings highlight the considerable morphological plasticity of the species and emphasize the necessity of genetic verification in the assessment of atypical phenotypes. The line serves as a reference model for evolutionary morphology and developmental biology studies within the genus Cannabis.