Trichomes are the resin producing THC glands on the female plant. They come in several varieties....cysolith....bulbous....stalked...capi tate-stalked. The capitate-stalked glands are the major THC producers and they coat the buds profusely. You can view these glands using a 30x magnifying-viewer,..available at Radio Shack.When the glands start to turn milky white to amber then the THC is beginning to degrade after peaking...try to harvest later for heavier feeling stone.