Brunfelsia grandiflora subsp. Schultesu is closely re- 
lated to and often confused with B. bonodora and B. 
latifolia (also designated as B. maritima), both indigenous 
to the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. B. latifolia is a 
low shrub restricted to the maritime vestinga vegetation 
around Rio de Janeiro. It differs from B. grandiflora 
mainly in having longer pedicels (6-12 mm. vs. 2-6 mm.) 
and leaves which are apically blunt or acute, not long 
acuminate. J. bonodora is a very rare plant, known from 
only a few collections in the Serra dos Orgios. It closely 
resembles B. grandiflora subsp. Schultesii in several 
characters but may be distinguished by its longer pedi- 
cels (6-12 mm.) and smaller capsule which is nearly en- 
closed by the persistent calyx. 
Brunfelsia grandiflora subsp. Schultesti is known by a 
variety of common names, including sanango, chiric 
sanango (Peru), chiricaspt (Colombia) and bella wnion 
(Bolivia). The Quechua word chiric means ‘‘cold”” and, 
as with B. Chiricaspi, refers to the sensation of chills 
produced upon ingestion of the plant. Like subspecies 
grandiflora and B. Chiricaspi, this plant is widely used 
throughout the western Amazon as both a medicine and 
narcotic. The bark or roots are frequently added to 
preparations of ayahuasca or yagé ( Banisteriopsis Caapt), 
a strong hallucinogen in itself, to produce sensations of 
chills or tingling in the extremities. As a medicine, it is 
a commonly used remedy against rheumatism and ar- 
thritis. The active constituents of this pharmacodynamic 
species are as yet unknown. Although some studies have 
been made by pharmaceutical firms, the results remain 
unpublished. The label on the type collection indicates 
that alkaloids may be present in the plant. 
The following key is offered to distinguish the con- 
cepts of Brunfelsia found in western South America: 
[ 268 | 
