ayahuasca

Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce ex Griseb.) C.V.Morton

Banisteriopsis caapi is a liana species from the Malpighiaceae family, commonly known as ayahuasca. It is a key ingredient in the preparation of ayahuasca, a traditional entheogenic decoction used by Indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest. The plant is native to South America and is found in several countries including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Description

Banisteriopsis caapi, a member of the Malpighiaceae family, is a climbing vine native to South America. It is widely distributed across regions such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. This species is used in the preparation of ayahuasca, a traditional plant-based decoction with a long history of entheogenic use among Indigenous Amazonian communities. The plant is regarded as a 'plant teacher' in these cultures. It was first described in 1931 and is known by several names, including caapi, soul vine, and yagé.

Other common names

soulvineayahuasca

Distribution

BR · Parque Nacional Natural El Tuparro · Galápagos Islands · Putumayo, municipio de Mocoa, Vereda San Carlos, Centro Experimental Amazónico CEA, Corpoamazonia. · Amazonas, Antioquia, Caquetá, Cauca, Chocó, Cundinamarca, Guainía, Nariño, Putumayo, Valle, Vaupés, Vichada · CR · Departamento del Putumayo: planicie amazónica (Puerto Leguízamo) y Piedemonte (Mocoa) · Jardín Botánico de Bogotá · Microcuenca alta de río Tillavá · Argentina Northwest · Bolivia · Brazil North · Brazil West-Central · Colombia · Ecuador · Peru · Venezuela · Leticia