Banisteriopsis caapi

What Banisteriopsis caapi is

Banisteriopsis caapi is a climbing plant of the Malpighiaceae family. Caapi vine, ayahuasca vine and yagé all refer to this one species. Plants of the World Online (Kew) places it among the climbers of the wet tropics, with a native range in southern tropical America; the World Checklist of Vascular Plants records it in eight areas, stretching from Colombia and Venezuela in the north to north-western Argentina in the south. Its full botanical name is Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce ex Griseb.) C.V.Morton.

Products in this category

Ten products are Banisteriopsis caapi: vine in several cuts, whole leaves and two extracts. Origins and selection names are those given in the product names; for the 5:1 extract, the origin comes from the supplier's listing.

The 5:1 extract is also listed in the Extracts category.

Banisteriopsis muricata in this category

Two products belong to a different species of the same genus, Banisteriopsis muricata. Kew lists it as an accepted species: a climbing shrub of the seasonally dry tropical biome, native from Mexico to southern tropical America. Both are sold as shredded vine: Ecuadorian Red Ayahuasca from Ecuador (100 g, 250 g) and Red Ayahuasca Vine from Napo, Peru (100 g, 250 g, 1 kg).

Selection names and how to compare

Cielo, Napo Cielo, Yellow, Red and Caupuri are the names under which the material is traded. They are not botanical varieties: the World Checklist of Vascular Plants lists no subspecies or varieties of Banisteriopsis caapi. "Red" appears on both species, so check the Latin name on each product page. To compare two products, look at the species, the plant part, the cut (whole, shredded or finely shredded) and the size.

Packaging and delivery

All products in this category are sold strictly as collectible or souvenir items. Orders are prepared on business days and shipped in neutral outer packaging that does not describe the contents. When tracking is available, the link is sent by email after dispatch. Many international deliveries arrive within 3 to 15 business days after dispatch; this is an estimate only. More plant material is listed in the Smartshop; for details, see Delivery, Tracking & Returns.

Frequently asked questions

Which forms of Banisteriopsis caapi are available?

Shredded vine, finely shredded vine, whole vine, a whole display vine section, whole leaves and two extracts: 5:1 in 10 ml, and 12:1 in 50, 100 or 500 ml.

What do Cielo, Yellow, Red and Caupuri mean?

They are trade names taken from the product names, not botanical varieties. Every product page gives the species by its Latin name.

Is Banisteriopsis muricata the same plant as B. caapi?

No. It is a separate accepted species of the same genus, native from Mexico to southern tropical America. Two shredded vines in this category are B. muricata.

Which pack sizes are there?

Most vine and leaf products come in 100 g, 250 g and 1 kg. The whole Yellow vine is sold in 50 g, 250 g and 1 kg, and Cielo Vine in 100 g and 250 g. The display vine is sold as individual pieces, models 1 to 6.

Where is Banisteriopsis caapi native?

According to Kew, in southern tropical America. Its recorded range runs from Colombia and Venezuela south to north-western Argentina and includes parts of Brazil.