Why it matters
Female cannabis plants produce dense flower clusters covered in trichomes — the glandular structures that concentrate cannabinoids and terpenes. Harvest, dry, cure, and trim those flowers and you have the format colloquially called bud, herb, or weed. Cannabinoid percentages by weight typically run 15–30% in modern commercial cultivars.
In practice
Flower is the only format that delivers the full cannabinoid + terpene matrix exactly as the plant produced it. Concentrates and edibles refine that matrix; flower preserves it. For consumers prioritising consistency, packaging dates and proper storage (dark, sealed, around 60% relative humidity) matter as much as the strain name on the label.
Common confusion
“Flower” is sometimes treated as the lowest-tier format. In terms of completeness of the cannabinoid experience it is often the most complete.
This glossary entry is editorial content reviewed against primary sources. It is not medical advice. See our Editorial Policy.