Purple Elephant: The Heavy Hitter of the Hash World
Purple Elephant: The Heavy Hitter of the Hash World
Strain Overview
Type: Pure Indica (Clone-Only Phenotype)
Breeder: Popularized by JojoRizo (The late, legendary breeder)
Lineage: Purple Urkle Phenotype (Debated; likely a specific Urkle cut or Urkle x Hash Plant)
Famous Offspring: The mother of Grape Stomper (Sour Grapes)
THC Content: 18% – 22%
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Pinene, Caryophyllene
Key Effects: Narcotics Sedation, "Heavy" Limbs, Dreamy Euphoria, Pain Numbing
In the genealogy of modern "Purple" cannabis, Purple Elephant is the matriarch that gave the family its muscle.
While strains like Granddaddy Purple get the fame for their color, Purple Elephant earned its reputation in the underground for its sheer weight—both in the grow room and on the lungs. This is the strain that the legendary breeder JojoRizo selected to create Grape Stomper, effectively launching the modern era of "Frosty Purps."
Purple Elephant is an old-school, clone-only cut that is rarely seen in its pure form today. It is a "Hash Plant" in every sense of the word: squat, leafy, and covered in trichomes so large and greasy they feel like wet sand. It is named for its massive, trunk-thick colas and the sensation that an elephant is sitting on your chest after you smoke it.
History and Lineage: The Urkle Mutation
The exact origins of Purple Elephant are shrouded in the lore of the Emerald Triangle, but the consensus among historians points to one man: JojoRizo.
The Origin: Most experts believe Purple Elephant is a unique phenotype of Purple Urkle. However, unlike the slow-growing, low-yielding standard Urkle, the "Elephant" cut mutated to produce massive, dense yields and extraordinary resin content.
The Theory: Some old-school growers argue it may contain Hash Plant genetics introduced to the Urkle line to boost its production.
The Legacy: JojoRizo recognized that this cut had the flavor of a Purple but the power of a biochemical weapon. By crossing it with Chemdawg Sour Diesel, he created Grape Stomper, passing the Elephant's resin production down to future generations like Grape Pie and Sundae Driver.
Terpene Profile: Spiced Grapes and Damp Earth
Purple Elephant does not smell like the candy-sweet purple strains of today. It has a funkier, darker profile.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Heavy): The levels of Myrcene in this strain are off the charts. This is what causes the "Couch-Lock" effect and the musky, soil-like aroma.
Pinene (The Forest): A sharp note of pine needles and wet wood that cuts through the fruitiness.
Caryophyllene (The Pepper): Adds a spicy kick that tickles the nose and contributes to the strain's pain-relieving properties.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It smells like fermented grapes, damp basement soil, and spicy musk. It is a "deep" smell, not a bright one.
The Smoke: Thick, expansive, and heavy. It tastes of hash, dark berries, and pine. It is a savory smoke that coats the mouth.
Strain Effects: The Elephant in the Room
This is not a daytime strain. It is a "cancel your plans" strain.
The Experience
The Pressure: The high starts with a feeling of pressure behind the eyes and a "headband" effect.
The Weight: The "Elephant" effect kicks in. Your arms and legs feel incredibly heavy. Moving feels like walking through water.
The Sedation: A wave of narcotic relaxation washes over the body. It is deeply physical. It doesn't just relax the muscles; it numbs them.
The Sleep: As the high wears on, the Myrcene takes over completely, leading to a deep, dreamless sleep.
Best For: End-of-life care, severe chronic pain, deep meditation, and heavy insomnia.
Medical Benefits
Purple Elephant is widely regarded as one of the best medical strains for physical ailments due to its high "Body Stone" potential.
Severe Pain: It is a powerhouse for numbing the body. Patients with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back injuries often prefer this over opiates.
Insomnia: It hits the "off switch" on the brain and body simultaneously.
Muscle Spasms: The sedative effects are strong enough to stop tremors and relax rigid muscles.
Stress: It forces the body to unclench. You physically cannot hold tension while smoking this strain.
Growing Purple Elephant: The Squat Queen
This plant is an Indica lover's dream, but it requires patience in the vegetative stage.
Growth Structure
The Stature: It grows incredibly slow and short. It is a true bush. You need to veg it longer than average to get it to a decent size before flipping to flower.
The Leaves: The fan leaves are massive, wide, and dark green/purple. They block light to the lower bud sites, so heavy defoliation is required.
The Buds: The colas are thick, round, and extremely dense. They turn deep purple naturally without needing cold temperatures.
Flowering Time: 8 to 9 weeks.
Grower’s Tip: This strain is susceptible to mold because the buds are so dense and the plant is so leafy. You must have high airflow (fans) in your grow tent. However, it is very resistant to pests due to its thick resin shield.
Final Verdict: The Matriarch of Grape
Purple Elephant is a piece of cannabis history. It represents the bridge between the low-yielding, tasty Purple strains of the 90s and the high-yielding, frosty monsters of today. Without Purple Elephant, there is no Grape Stomper, and without Grape Stomper, the modern "Dessert Weed" landscape would look very different. It is a heavy, sleepy, hash-flavored beast that demands respect.
You should choose Purple Elephant if:
You are a fan of Grape Stomper and want to try the mother.
You suffer from severe chronic pain or insomnia.
You love Hash Plant genetics.
You prefer "Savory/Musky" fruit flavors over "Candy/Sweet" ones.
Score: 9.0/10 (The Heavy Hitter)