Sinicuichi

Sinicuichi
	Sinicuichi ( Heimia salicifolia )
Systematics
	Eurosiden II
Order :	Myrtle-like (Myrtales)
Family :	Loosestrife family (Lythraceae)
Subfamily :	Lythroideae
Genre :	Heimia
Type :	Sinicuichi
Scientific name
	Heimia salicifolia
	( Kunth ) Link & Otto

Sinicuichi ( Heimia salicifolia ), also called Sinicuiche , Abre-o-sol (in German sun opener), Herva da Vida (in German herb of life), is a species of the loosestrife family (Lythraceae). It occurs predominantly in Central, South America and the West Indies. The Mayans and Aztecs used it for memory rituals and other ceremonies because of its hallucinogenic and memory-opening properties; it is still consumed today because of its intoxicating effects.

description

The Sinicuichi shrub grows as a deciduous shrub and reaches heights of 1.8 to 3 meters. The lanceolate leaves are 1.5 to 3.5 cm long and 3 to 6 mm wide. Stipules are missing.

The flower stalk is about 1 mm long. The approximately 2 cm wide, hermaphrodite flowers are six-fold. The flower cup (hypanthium) is 2 mm long and about 2.75 mm wide. There is a secondary chalice; it is longer than the chalice. The sepals are 0.75 mm long and 1.5 to 2 mm wide. The petals are 3.25 to 4 mm long and 2.5 to 3.5 mm wide. There are two circles with usually six stamens each, which are up to 4 mm long. The stylus is about 4 mm long.

The capsule fruit has six distinct nerves and contains many seeds.

The number of chromosomes is 2n = 16.

Sinicuichi flowers

ingredients

The ingredients that contribute to the intoxicating effect are quinolizidine alkaloids , etc. a. Cryogenin , Lythrin , Lyfolin , Nesidin, Vertin and Heimidin.

Extracts of the leaves are used as a drug . Medical uses were investigated.