Old World Purple: The Ancient Matriarch
Old World Purple: The Ancient Matriarch
Strain Overview
Type: 100% Indica (Landrace / Heirloom)
Breeder: Ancestral/Nature (Preserved by Dutch breeders like Positronics or The Super Sativa Seed Club in the 80s)
Lineage: Purple Afghani x Pakistani Chitral Kush (Hindu Kush Region Selections)
Market Status: The "Origin Story"; Old World Purple isn't a strain you'll typically find in a modern foil pouch. It is the catch-all designation for the original, landrace purple Indicas brought from the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan to Holland and California in the 1970s and 80s. It is the genetic grandmother of every purple strain you know—from Granddaddy Purple to Purple Urkle to Purple Skunk. It represents cannabis in its raw, unhybridized form: short, sturdy, and naturally violet.
THC Content: Low to Moderate (15% – 19% - High Resin Content)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Linalool, Pinene, Humulene
Key Effects: Narcotic Sedation, Muscle Numbing, Meditative Calm, Anti-Anxiety
Old World Purple is the history book of cannabis.
Before breeders started chasing candy flavors, purple weed tasted like the mountains: earthy, floral, and deeply spicy. This strain represents the original phenotype that evolved purple colors (anthocyanins) not for bag appeal, but as a survival mechanism against the harsh cold and high UV rays of the Hindu Kush mountains.
History and Lineage: The Dutch & California Connection
To understand Old World Purple is to understand the history of indoor growing.
The Origin: The genetics hail from the Hindu Kush mountain range (spanning Afghanistan and Pakistan). In these high altitudes, plants developed short, stocky statures and dark purple pigments to absorb heat and protect against ultraviolet light.
The Migration: In the late 70s and early 80s, travelers along the "Hippie Trail" brought these seeds back to Amsterdam (The Super Sativa Seed Club, Positronics) and Northern California (The Emerald Triangle).
The Legacy: In Holland, these genetics became strains like Purple #1 and Holland's Hope. In California, they became the Mendocino Purps and Purple Kush. When we refer to "Old World Purple" in a lineage (like in Purple Skunk), we are referring to these hardy, foundational breeding stocks that introduced the color purple to the Western gene pool.
Terpene Profile: Lavender and Wet Earth
The aroma of Old World Purple is vastly different from the "Grape Soda" smell of modern hybrids like Runtz. It is floral, savory, and herbal.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Earth): The dominant terpene. It creates a heavy base of damp soil, forest floor, and musk. This is the scent of pure Indica.
Linalool (The Floral): This is the defining note. It provides a distinct lavender and wildflower aroma that is often described as "perfume-y" or "soapy" in older cuts.
Pinene (The Alpine): A sharp note of fresh pine and cedar wood, reflecting its mountainous origins.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is subtle and organic. It smells of spicy hash, lavender fields, and rich potting soil.
The Smoke: Thick and harsh (in a hash-like way). It tastes of roasted nuts, floral spice, and sweet earth on the inhale, with a woody, incense finish on the exhale.
Strain Effects: The Narcotic Blanket
Old World Purple is not a "recreational" buzz in the modern sense; it is a medicinal tool.
The Experience
The Heaviness: The high is purely physical. There is almost no cerebral "head rush." Instead, a sensation of weight and warmth spreads through the limbs.
The Sedation: It is a true narcotic. It slows the heart rate and deepens breathing. It is excellent for panic attacks because it physically forces the body to relax.
The Pain Relief: This is what it was bred for. The high levels of Myrcene and other minor cannabinoids make it an incredibly effective anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant.
The Sleep: It is a one-way ticket to sleep. It doesn't just make you drowsy; it shuts the lights off.
Best For: Severe insomnia, muscle spasms, arthritis, chronic pain, and meditation.
Growing Old World Purple: The Hardy Survivor
Breeders still hunt for these genetics because they are incredibly tough and resistant to the elements.
Growth Structure
The Hardiness: This plant evolved in harsh mountains. It is mold resistant, cold resistant, and pest resistant. It is one of the best choices for outdoor growers in northern climates (like Canada or the UK).
The Color: The purple is not temperature-dependent, but it is enhanced by cold. In true Old World genetics, the stems, leaves, and buds can all turn a deep, royal violet.
The Structure: Short and Squat. It grows like a cabbage—wide, leafy, and low to the ground. It requires very little trellising.
The Yield: Moderate. It does not yield like a commercial hybrid (Big Bud), but the resin quality is superior for hash making.
The Time: It is a fast finisher, often ready in 7 to 8 weeks (mid-September outdoors).
Grower’s Tip: These plants are "light feeders." They are used to rocky, nutrient-poor soil. Do not blast them with salt fertilizers. They thrive in organic super-soil with a "just add water" approach. High nitrogen will stunt them and reduce the purple coloring.
Final Verdict: The Ancient Matriarch
Old World Purple is the matriarch of the Cannabis family. She may not have the 30% THC of her great-granddaughters, but she possesses a medicinal soul and a hardiness that modern plants have lost. It is a strain that tastes like history—floral, earthy, and deep. If you are breeding cannabis, or if you simply want to understand where the "Purple" craze began, you must pay respects to the Old World.
You should choose Old World Purple genetics if:
You love Floral/Hashy flavors.
You grow Outdoors in cold climates.
You need Heavy Pain Relief.
You are a Hash Maker.
Score: 9.0/10 (The Genetic Foundation)