Anadenanthera peregrina, also known as yopo, jopo, cohoba, parica or calcium tree, is a perennial tree of the genus Anadenanthera native to the Caribbean and South America. It grows up to 20 m (66 ft) tall, and has a horny bark. Its flowers grow in small, pale yellow to white spherical clusters resembling Acacia (e.g. wattle) inflorescences. It is an entheogen which has been used in healing ceremonies and rituals for thousands of years in northern South America and the Caribbean. Competition among tribes led to a cultivation of the plant which spread it to other areas outside its native range. Whilst originally harvested from the wild, increasing competition for the seeds between neighboring tribes led to the semi-cultivation of the plant and the tree was introduced to areas beyond its native range.
Botanical profile.
- Genus
- Anadenanthera
- Family
- Fabaceae
Other names.
