Urmenetea Explained

Urmenetea is a genus of South American plants in the family Asteraceae.^{[1] [2] [3]}

SpeciesThe only known species is Urmenetea atacamensis, native to northern Chile (Antofagasta, Atacama) and northern Argentina (Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta).^{[4] [5] [6]}

UsesAccording to "Enzyklopädie der Psychoaktiven Pflanzen", natives of the atacama desert use the plant for its psychoactive properties. When chewing the leaves, Dr.phil Christian Rätsch reported a sensation of local anestesia and a general feeling of euphoria and stimulation, akin to the effects of chewing coca leaves. Smoked injestion may result in both narcotic and stimulant effects. "Enzyklopädie der Psychoactiven Pflanzen" lists 0.3g of dried leaves as a sufficient dosage. Nothing is known about the chemical properties of the active ingredient and its dangers.

Notes and References

1. Philippi, Rudolf Amandus. 1860. Florula Atacamensis seu enumeration page 26
2. http://www.tropicos.org/Name/40022012 Tropicos, Urmenetea Phil.
3. Philippi, Rudolf Amandus. 1860. Viage al Desierto de Atacama 201
4. http://dixon.iplantcollaborative.org/CompositaeWeb/Default.aspx?Page=NameSearch&searchText=Urmenetea Flann, C (ed) 2009+ Global Compositae Checklist
5. Cabrera, A. L. 1978. Compositae. 10: 1–726. In A. L. Cabrera (ed.) Flora de la provincia de Jujuy. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Buenos Aires.
6. Marticorena, C. & M. Quezada. 1985. Catálogo de la Flora Vascular de Chile. Gayana, Botánica 42: 1–157