CannaSelection Strain Finder · Strain
sativa-dominant strainDurban Poison
Durban Poison is a historically significant South African sativa line described as energetic, focused and mood-enhancing. Earthy, woody, pine-like and spicy-herbal notes define the recorded aroma. The flowers are notable for being compact while also elongated-conical and heavily coated in resin.
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Aroma, effects and terpenes
Aromas
- earthy
- woody
- pine-like
- sage-like
Effects
Terpenes
Cannabinoid profile
Recorded ranges
These values are provided for orientation. Actual levels may vary depending on the batch, phenotype and growing environment.
Genetics
Parent line and family tree
Durban Poison is at the top. The documented parent lines follow below.
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StrainDurban Poison
- ParentSouth African Sativa
- ParentAfrica - Sativa
Editorial profile
Durban Poison in detail
Origin & classification
Durban Poison is one of the best-known strain names with a South African sativa background. Sources relate that Ed Rosenthal received or identified seed stock from South Africa in the late 1970s, and that Mel Frank later selected for faster flowering. Such breeding stories are historically widespread, but are not supported by primary documents in the present dataset. They should therefore be read as an inherited development history rather than a fully confirmed chronicle.
Aroma & flavour
According to this account, two phenotype lines emerged. The so-called A line is said to have led to today’s Durban Poison, while a B line was reportedly passed on to Amsterdam breeder David Watson. The dataset also lists the formal lineage South African Sativa × Africa – Sativa and the breeder entry “Unknown or Legendary”. These details describe the landrace background more than a precise modern parent cross.
Terpene profile
The flowers are described as an unusual combination of different structural traits: they are dense and compact while also having an elongated, conical shape. Mature flowers are said to appear roundish to knobby and to cover large parts of the plant with a thick layer of trichomes. The pronounced resin coverage explains the suitability for extractions mentioned in the source, but is not a quantified yield promise.
Effect tendency
In terms of aroma, the structured data lists earth, wood, pine, spicy herbs and sage. The historical description also generally refers to a lively sweet scent, but does not specify this sweetness further. The recorded terpenes are terpinolene, valencene, myrcene and ocimene. In the absence of quantity data, the perceptible profile of herbs, wood, earth and pine is more informative than a fixed terpene ranking.
Cannabinoids, flowering & appearance
The effects are repeatedly characterised as energetic, uplifting, mood-enhancing and focused. This corresponds to its sativa-leaning classification, but guarantees neither a specific progression nor the same intensity for every person. Statements broadly recommending the strain for particular daytime activities or experience levels were not included.
Further classification
The THC figures also contradict one another. Master data lists 19 to 21 percent, while the description gives a considerably broader range of 15 to 25 percent. CBD is said to be below one percent. These values depend on the batch and phenotype; until the sources are clarified, no narrow THC range should be presented as universally applicable. A specific flowering time is missing despite the historical statement that selection was made for faster maturation.
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Frequently asked questions about Durban Poison
What type of strain is Durban Poison?
We list Durban Poison as a sativa-dominant strain with the parent line South African Sativa × Africa - Sativa.
What genetics are behind Durban Poison?
The parent line of Durban Poison is South African Sativa × Africa - Sativa.
What does Durban Poison smell and taste like?
In terms of aroma, Durban Poison is primarily earthy, woody, pine-like, spicy-herbal and sage-like. The expression may vary in intensity depending on the batch and phenotype.
Which terpenes are associated with Durban Poison?
Durban Poison’s profile includes terpinolene, valencene, myrcene and ocimene. They complement the described aroma profile.
What effect tendency does Durban Poison have?
We primarily describe Durban Poison as mood-enhancing, energetic, uplifting and focused. Effects are subjective impressions and not a medical promise.
How high is the THC content of Durban Poison?
A THC range of 19–21 % is given for Durban Poison. Actual values may vary depending on the batch, phenotype and growing environment.
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