HAMILTON CLEMENT W
Architecture in neotropical Psychotria L. (Rubiaceae): dynamics of branching and its taxonomic significance.
American Journal of Botany, July 1985 Vol 72 pg 1081-1088
[No Abstract] Sujects: Psychotria, Tree Branches, Botanical Classification
SCHULTES R E; HOFMANN A
Vine of the Soul
Plants of the Gods: Origins of hallucinogenic use; p 120
Ayahuasca has many native names: Caapi, Dapa, Mihi, Kahi, Natema, Pinde, Yaje. The drink, employed for prophecy, divination, sorcery, and medical purposes, is so deeply rooted in native mythology and philosophy that there can be no doubt of its great age as a part of aboriginal life. Two closely related species of the malpighiaceous genus Banisteriopsis - B. caapi and B. inebrians - are the most important plants used in preparing Ayahuasca. But other species are apparently used locally on occasion: B. quitensis; Mascagnia glandulifera, M. psilophylla var. antifebrilis; Tetrapteris methystica and T. mucronata. All of these plants are large forest lianas of the same family. Banisteriopsis caapi and B. inebrians are frequently cultivated in order to have a supply close at hand for use. Many plants of diverse families are often added to the basic drink to alter the intoxicating effects. The most commonly used admixtures are leaves of B. rusbyana and of the rubiaceous Psychotria carthaginensis or P. viridis. Other known psychoactive plants, such as Brugmansia suavolens, Brunfelsia chiricaspi, and B. grandiflora, may also be added. Among the many other plants employed are Tobacco; Malounetia tamaquarina and a species of Tabernaemontana of the Apocynaceae; the acanthaceous Teliostachya lanceolata var. crispa or Toe Negra; Calathea veitchiana of the Maranthaceae; the amaranthaceous Alternaria lehmannii and a species of Iresine; several ferns including Lygodium venustum and Lomariopsis japurensis; Phryglanthus eugenoides of the Mistletoe family; the mint Ocimium micranthum; a species of the sedge genus Cyperus; several cacti including species of Opuntia and Epiphylum; and a member of the genus Clusia of the Guttiferae.
SCHULTES, RICHARD EVANS; HOFMANN A
Ayahuasca, Caapi, Yaje
Plants of The Gods: Origins of hallucinogenic use. (1979) p 66
COMMON NAME: Ayahuasca, Caapi, Yaje'. BOTANICAL NAME: Banisteriopsis caapi, B. inebrians, B. rusbyana. USAGE HISTORY AND ETHNOGRAPHY: Used in the western half of the Amazon Valley and by isolated tribes on the Pacific Slopes of the Colombian and Ecuadorian Andes. USAGE CONTEXT AND PURPOSE: Usually drunk in religious ceremonies. In the famous Tukanoan Yurupari ceremony in Colombia - an adolescent initiation for boys. The Jivaro believe that Ayahuasca makes possible communication with ancestors and that, under its influence, a man's soul may leave the body and wander free. PREPARATION: The bark, prepared in cold or boiling water, may be taken alone or with additives - especially the leaves of B. rusbyana and of Psychotria viridis - which alter the effects. The bark can also be chewed. Recent evidence from the northwestern Amazon suggests that the plants are also used in the form of snuff. CHEMICAL COMPONENTS AND EFFECTS: The hallucinogenic activity is primarily due to harmine, the major beta-carboline alkaloid in the plants. Effects of taking the bitter and nauseating drink range from pleasant intoxication with no hangover to violent reactions with sickening after-effects. Usually, visual hallucinations in color occur. The intoxication ends with a deep sleep and dreams.
SCHULTES, RICHARD EVANS; HOFMANN A
Banisteriopsis
Plants of The Gods: Origins of hallucinogenic use. (1979) p 35
BANISTERIOPSIS C.B. Robinson et Small., B. caapi (Spruce exGriseb.) Morton., Malphigiaceae. Tropical zones of N-S America, West Indies. These giant forest lianas are the basis of an important hallucinogenic drink ceremonially consumed in the western half of the Amazon Valley and by isolated tribes on the Pacific slopes of the Colombian and Ecuadorian Andes. The bark of Banisteriopsis caapi and B. inebrians, prepared in cold water or after long boiling, may be taken alone, but various plant additives - especially the leaves of B. rusbyana, known as Oco-Yaje, and of Psychotria viridis - are often used to alter the effects of the hallucinogenic drink. Both species are lianas with smooth, brown bark and dark green, chartaceous, ovate-lanceolate leaves up to about 7 inches (18 cm) in length, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) wide. The inflorescence is many-flowered. The small flowers are pink or rose-colored. The fruit is a samara with wings about 1 3/8 inch (3.5 cm) long. Bansiteriopsis inebrians differs from B. caapi mainly in its thicker ovate, more attenuate leaves and in the shape of the samara wings.
| EthnobotDB--worldwide plant uses is a searchable ethnobotany database at the National Agricultural Library. |
| The National Plants Database at the US Dept. of Agriculture includes information about wetlands, threatened/endangered and economically important plants. |
| ? Ayahuasca admixture plants (notes) | |||
| Admixture Plant | People | Location | (Notes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banisteriopsis caapi | [THIS IS YAJE/AYAHUASCA] | (Harmine, Harmaline) | |
| Banisteriopsis inebrians | (beta-Carbolines) | ||
| Banisteriopsis quitensis | (beta-Carbolines) | ||
| Banistereopsis rusbyana | [COMMON ADMIXTURE PLANT] | (DMT & beta-Carbolines OCO-YAJE) | |
| Psychotria viridis | [COMMON ADMIXTURE PLANT] | (DMT, tryptamines) | |
| Psychotria carthaginensis | |||
| Psychotria nitida | ? | ? | (DMT, tryptamines) |
| Prestonia amazonica | [COMMON ADMIXTURE PLANT] | (DMT) | |
| Tetrapteris mucronata | |||
| Tetrapteris methystica | Maku' | N Brazil Amazon | (Cold water infusion no admixtures CAAPI-PINIMA) |
| Diplopteris cabarena | Amazon | [Dennis McKenna] | |
| Justicia pectoralis | (flavorant only) | ||
| Mascagnia glandulifera | |||
| Mascagnia psilophylla | (var antifebrilis) | ||
| 6 unidentified vines | Tukano | Rio Vaupes(Colombia) | |
| (vines) | Kahi-ria'ma: | strongest/auditory hallucinations, announces future events said cause death if improperly employed | |
| Mene-kahi-ma: | 2nd strongest/visions of green snakes/bark is used said to cause death unless cautiously taken | ||
| Sauana-kahi-ma: | 'Kahi of the Red Jaguar'/produces visions in red | ||
| Kahi-vai Bucura-rijoma: | 'Kahi of the monkey head' causes monkeys to halluinate and howl | ||
| Ajuwri-kahi-ma: | weakest/little effect used in drink to help Mene-kahi-ma | ||
| Kahi-somoma/Kahi-uco: | 'Kahi that makes you vomit' Banisteriopsis rusbyana | ||
African Ape Site Floral Lists at the University of Wisconsin offers a list of plant species and the parts observed to be eaten by African apes. The list includes genera and species known to be psychoactive, such as Psychotria, Mytragyna, Tabernanthe, Tabernaemontana, Ipomoea, Alchornea, Cannabis, Mimosa and Pausinystalia (Cornanthe) johimbe. A good resource for pursuing cryptohallucinogens through primate zoopharmacognosy.
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