Banisteriopsis Explained

Banisteriopsis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Malpighiaceae. There are about 92 species.^{[1] [2]} Most are native to Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.^[2]

One well-known species is Banisteriopsis caapi, the source of ayahuasca.^[1]

Selected species

Species include:^{[3] [4]}

• Banisteriopsis acapulcencis
• Banisteriopsis basifixa
• Banisteriopsis calcicola
• Banisteriopsis caapi
• Banisteriopsis dugandii
• Banisteriopsis elegans
• Banisteriopsis ferruginea
• Banisteriopsis grandifolia
• Banisteriopsis harleyi
• Banisteriopsis irwinii
• Banisteriopsis krukoffii
• Banisteriopsis lucida
• Banisteriopsis metallicolor
• Banisteriopsis muricata
• Banisteriopsis nummifera
• Banisteriopsis pulchra
• Banisteriopsis quitensis
• Banisteriopsis stellaris
• Banisteriopsis valvata
• Banisteriopsis williamsii

Legal status

See main article: Legal status of ayahuasca by country.

United States

Louisiana

Except for ornamental purposes, growing, selling or possessing Banisteriopsis spp. is prohibited by Louisiana State Act 159.

Notes and References

1. de Frias . U. A. . etal . 2012 . Banisteriopsis Species: A Source of Bioactive of Potential Medical Application . International Journal of Biotechnology for Wellness Industries . 10.6000/1927-3037/2012.01.03.02.
2. Samoylenko . Volodymyr . etal . 2010 . Banisteriopsis caapi, a unique combination of MAO inhibitory and antioxidative constituents for the activities relevant to neurodegenerative disorders and Parkinson's disease . Journal of Ethnopharmacology . 127 . 2 . 357–367 . 10.1016/j.jep.2009.10.030 . 2828149 . 19879939.
3. Web site: Banisteriopsis Genus.. ZipcodeZoo.
4. Web site: Banisteriopsis.. Global Biodiversity Information Facility.