Banisteriopsis caapi ‘Ayahuasca Vine’ – Double Helix (plant)

Description

Special larger diameter cuttings, double helix vines where both are rooted and growing. Plants for sale are pictured, please email about availability with the plant number you are interested in. Preferably pickup but can post. NO stands for Nuevo Ola, OUR is Ourinhos.

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.

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 strain is also referred to as ‘Yellow caapi’. We believe this variety may be in fact a hybrid as the floral structure is slightly different to the other B. caapi we have growing.

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.

Tucunaca is a Brazillian variety. Some classify Banisteriopsis caapi lianas as belonging to one of two varieties; var. Caupuri has swollen nodes giving a knotted rope appearance to the liana, whilst var. Tucunaca has normal stems with no swollen nodes.

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.

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