Banisteriopsis caapi – Ayahuasca (plant)

Description

Banisteriopsis caapi is the vine from which the South American hallucinogenic and healing brew ayahuasca is made. Family Malpighiaceae. Ayahuasca is a Kechua term for the drink made from this vine and translates to ‘Vine of the Soul’, referring to the freeing of the spirit. Also called yage, Caapi or Vine of the Dead.

Banisteriopsis caapi stems are used in the preparation of a drink called Ayahuasca in South America and they contain beta-carboline alkaloids such as harmaline, harmine and tetrahydroharmaline.

‘Nuevo Ola‘ was a selection Darren made from a large number of Banisteriopsis caapi seedlings he grew in the early 2000’s, the seeds came from Peru. It is a yellow variety like Cielo, which is from Peruvian Amazon regions. It was selected and propagated as it had unusual wavy leaf margins and was a strong, vigorous vine. Our Nuevo Ola cultivar has been professionally and legally analysed and was found to contain: 6.09mg/g THH (tetrahydroharmine): 1.20mg/g Harmaline: 6.28mg/g Harmine.

‘Cielo’ is one of the most common cultivars in Australia. Cielo is ‘heaven’ or ‘sky’ in the Spanish language. Our Cielo cultivar has been professionally and legally analysed and was found to contain: 1.33mg/g THH (tetrahydroharmine): 0.51mg/g Harmaline: 6.84mg/g Harmine. The root was significantly higher, as expected (due to the bright yellow colour indicating high levels of beta-carbolines), 8.23mg/g THH (tetrahydroharmine): 2.08mg/g Harmaline: 18.28mg/g Harmine.

‘Ourinhos‘ could be freely translated as Little Gold. The name, which is also a Brazilian city, was given to this variety of Banisteriopsis caapi because of the golden colouration of the brew made with it. This is a very powerful strain used in most of the official ceremonies of the Santo Daime, Unio do Vegetal (UDV) and Barquinha churches in Brazil. This cultivar is also referred to as ‘Yellow caapi’. Our Ourinhos cultivar has been professionally and legally analysed and was found to contain: 4mg/g THH (tetrahydroharmine): 0.81mg/g Harmaline: 7.15mg/g Harmine.

‘Tucunaca’ is a cultivar from Brazil. It has subtle morphological differences, with a more lanceolate leaf shape. Our Tucunaca cultivar has been professionally and legally analysed and was found to contain: 4.20mg/g THH (tetrahydroharmine): 0.65mg/g Harmaline: 9.21mg/g Harmine.

‘Caupuri’ is a cultivari with swollen/enlarged nodes, the vine sections look like a knotted rope. The flowers have a slightly different structure and colour to other cultivars. It is unique and is more likely a separate species or subspecies. Our Caupuri cultivar has been professionally and legally analysed and was found to contain: 1.65mg/g THH (tetrahydroharmine): 0.25mg/g Harmaline: 5.54mg/g Harmine.

Care and Cultivation of Banisteriopsis caapi

Banisteriopsis caapi likes humus rich, moist soil in part shade to full sun. A fairly robust plant, Banisteriopsis caapi will drop leaves in dry times and may need to be irrigated until established. The vine can deal with colder temps but is best grown in subtropical or tropical climates where it can be planted in the ground. Warm and cold temperate climate growers may need to protect their vines over the colder months by bringing inside or providing a warmer microclimate. Beautiful pink flowers in early spring on parts of the plant receiving lots of sun.

A vigorous climber that will cover a fence or tree in a matter of seasons and should be kept pruned as desired. It covers a boring old fence quickly!

1 plant