# Capitate-stalked trichome

> The large mushroom-shaped glandular trichome on cannabis bracts, with a multicellular stalk and a resin-filled head; it holds most of the flower's cannabinoids and terpenes.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/capitate-stalked-trichome.html
- Also written: capitate stalked trichome, stalked glandular trichome, capitate-stalked, stalked trichome, mushroom trichome
- Glossary category: Plant biology · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

The capitate-stalked trichome is the [dominant](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/dominant.md) resin gland on mature female cannabis flowers. It has a multicellular stalk, often 150-500 µm long, topped by a globular head about 60-100 µm across. In the head, a disc of secretory cells pumps resin into a storage cavity under a waxy cuticle. Livingston et al. (2020) showed these stalked glands develop from sessile-like precursors as flowers mature, and produce more [monoterpenes](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/monoterpene.md) and [cannabinoids](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cannabinoid.md) than sessile glands.

## In practice

These are the glands you inspect for [harvest timing](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/harvest-window.md). Heads go from clear to cloudy as resin fills and changes, then some turn amber as they age and oxidise. Cloudy heads are often described as peak-full; amber means ageing.

They are also the ones lost to rough handling. Trimming, bagging and warm, dry handling shear heads off their stalks. That is a big part of why buds should be handled cold and gently, and why trim method is a trade-off.

Gland density varies widely by [genotype](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/genotype.md) and plant age (Punja et al. 2023).

## Don't confuse with

- **Capitate-sessile trichome**: a smaller head with no tall stalk, sitting flat on the surface.
- **Bulbous trichome**: the smallest glandular type.
- **Cystolith trichome**: a non-glandular, claw-shaped hair.

## Related terms

[Trichome](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/trichome.md), [Capitate-sessile trichome](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/capitate-sessile-trichome.md), [Bract](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/bract.md), [Trichome ripeness](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/trichome-ripeness.md)

## Read more

- [Trichome ripeness: clear, cloudy, amber, and what the evidence says](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/harvest-cure/trichome-ripeness.md)

## Sources

1. Livingston SJ, Quilichini TD, Booth JK, et al. 2020. Cannabis glandular trichomes alter morphology and metabolite content during flower maturation. The Plant Journal 101(1):37-56. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.14516
2. Punja ZK, Sutton DB, Kim T. 2023. Glandular trichome development, morphology, and maturation are influenced by plant age and genotype in high THC-containing cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) inflorescences. Journal of Cannabis Research 5:12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-023-00178-9