Citral Chemotype

Citral is a C10 monoterpene consisting of two geometric isomers: geranial and neral. Cannabis plants expressing the citral chemotype often display pronounced lemon, lime, and herbaceous aromatic profiles. Lineage records frequently report citral-dominant expression in certain Sativa-leaning cultivars and specific Haze and Skunk-derived breeding lines. The terpene's volatility and aromatic intensity make it a notable marker in chemotype classification work. Citral production appears influenced by both genetic background and cultivation conditions, making it a variable but trackable breeding target.

Breeders working in citral-forward categories often select for this terpene's stability across generations and its compatibility with other desirable volatile profiles. Understanding citral expression helps genealogical mapping of cultivar families and informs aromatic phenotype prediction in F1 and stabilized lines.