Caryophyllene Terpene Family

Caryophyllene (β-caryophyllene) is a sesquiterpene commonly found in cannabis, black pepper, cloves, and hops. In cannabis genetics, strains tagged with caryophyllene-forward profiles often derive from lineages like OG Kush, Sour Diesel, and other Indica-dominant or high-resin cultivars. Breeders have documented caryophyllene expression across diverse genetic backgrounds, though expression levels and ratios vary significantly based on phenotype and growing conditions. This terpene is one of the few cannabis compounds that interacts with CB2 cannabinoid receptors, making it of particular interest to phytochemistry researchers and breeding programs focused on cannabinoid-terpene interaction studies.

Breeders selecting for caryophyllene-dominant profiles often cross established high-expression parents (OG Kush lines, Sour Diesel derivatives) with complementary genetics to stabilize the trait across generations. Caryophyllene concentration and phenotypic expression are used as markers in targeted breeding programs exploring terpene-cannabinoid synergy.