Caryophyllene Sesquiterpene

Caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene—a larger volatile hydrocarbon with 15 carbons—commonly found across cannabis cultivars and also present in black pepper, cloves, and hops. In cannabis, caryophyllene is often tagged as a warm, spicy, or peppery aroma note, frequently appearing alongside myrcene and limonene in lineage records. Breeders have documented caryophyllene across diverse genetic backgrounds, from OG Kush descendants to Haze hybrids, suggesting multiple independent accumulation pathways. Because sesquiterpenes boil at higher temperatures than monoterpenes, caryophyllene-dominant profiles may persist longer during drying and curing. This trait remains a focus in phytochemistry research and breeding programs tracking aromatic compound stability.

Breeders working in this category often monitor caryophyllene levels when selecting parent plants for aromatic consistency across generations. Sesquiterpene profiles like caryophyllene are heritable but influenced by environment, making them useful phenotypic markers in controlled breeding trials.