Mendocino Purps strain guide
Mendocino Purps is an old-school purple strain from Northern California, often shortened to Mendo Purps or The Purps. Nobody has documented its parents, but it sits behind some of the best-known purple strains around, including Granddaddy Purple. People know it for a grape and berry smell over earthy pine and a relaxed, happy feel.
Where does Mendocino Purps come from?
As the name says, Mendocino Purps is tied to Mendocino County in California's Emerald Triangle. It spread for years as a clone-only cut, passed from grower to grower as cuttings rather than sold as seeds, and its parentage was never written down. Some listings describe it as descended from an indica landrace and an unknown sativa, but that is not well documented.
Seeds came later, when a stabilized seed line was released and sold as The Purps. What is better known is where it went next: Purple Urkle is widely thought to be a phenotype of it, and it shows up in the family trees of Granddaddy Purple and Grape Ape.
What does Mendocino Purps smell and taste like?
Most people describe grape and berry first, with sweet earth, pine and a woody, spicy edge underneath. Some cuts add something less expected: a note of caramel and coffee that comes up again and again in descriptions of this strain.
We couldn't find published terpene results for Mendocino Purps, so we'd rather not guess. If your product lists its terpenes, the label is the best guide to what's in that batch.
Mendocino Purps effects: what people report
People most often call Mendocino Purps relaxed, happy and hungry, with some giggles along the way. Several describe it starting bright and lifted before the body feel builds, and heavier sessions are said to end slower and sleepier. Reports on how it leans are split: some find it calming and indica-like, others more balanced.
These are experiences people report, not promises. How it feels depends on the product, how much you have and your own tolerance. Dry mouth is the most common complaint, followed by dry eyes and the odd headache.
How strong is Mendocino Purps?
Listings put Mendocino Purps anywhere from about 18% to 30% THC, which is a wide range for one name. That spread makes sense for a strain that has been grown from different cuts and seed lines for decades. CBD is usually very low.
If you're new to it, start small and wait before having more. The THC and CBD numbers on your label matter more than the strain name. Our guide to reading cannabis labels explains what each number means.
Buying Mendocino Purps in Canada
You may see it sold as Mendocino Purps, Mendo Purps or The Purps. Because the original was a clone-only cut and later seed lines were made from it, two products under these names may not be the same plant.
Check the THC and CBD numbers and the packaging date before you buy. Fresher flower keeps more of that grape and pine smell.
Mendocino Purps vs Purple Urkle
Purple Urkle is so close to Mendocino Purps that it's often called a phenotype of it, though many growers still treat the two as separate. Both smell of grape and berry, but Purple Urkle leans more skunky and is usually described as a heavier, sleepier indica, while Mendocino Purps brings more pine and those odd caramel and coffee notes and reads a little brighter at first. Mendocino Purps also tends to list higher in THC. If you want the classic sleepy purple, try Purple Urkle. If you want grape with more going on, start with Mendocino Purps.
Strains like Mendocino Purps
If you like Mendocino Purps, these are the closest matches:
- Purple Urkle: likely a phenotype of it, with the same grape smell and a heavier feel.
- Granddaddy Purple: a famous descendant, sweet grape and berry with a relaxed, sleepy reputation.
- Grape Ape: another purple strain with Mendocino Purps in its family tree.
- Purple Kush: not a relative, but a similar earthy grape smell and calm feel.
