Myrcene

Myrcene is one of the most abundant terpenes in cannabis, commonly found in high concentrations across many cultivated varieties. This monoterpene is also present in hops, lemongrass, and thyme, contributing to earthy, herbaceous, and sometimes fruity aromatic profiles. In cannabis breeding records, myrcene-dominant strains frequently report lineage connections to landrace and hash plant genetics. The terpene's presence and relative abundance are often tracked by breeders as a chemotaxonomic marker when developing new crosses. Myrcene content can fluctuate based on cultivation conditions, harvest timing, and plant maturity, making it a variable rather than fixed genetic trait.

Breeders working with myrcene-forward genetics often select parent plants exhibiting high terpene expression to maintain or amplify this aroma signature in offspring. Myrcene levels are monitored in phytochemical analysis workflows to verify consistency across seed lines and stabilized cultivars.