Rubiaceae 
Psychotria L. 
Among the sundry admixtures employed to “strengthen” and 
“lengthen” the effects of the hallucinogenic drink prepared from 
Banisteriopsis Caapi (Spr. ex Griseb.) Morton and B. inebrians 
Morton in the western Amazon, one of the most commonly 
added is the leaves of Psychotria (Schultes 1967). One species 
used in Ecuador and Peru, P. viridis (Schultes 1966a, 1970c), has 
recently been shown to contain N,N,-dimethyltryptamine (Ri- 
vier and Lindgren 1972). The same species, and another not yet 
definitely identified, are similarly used in the Acre Territory, 
Brazil (Prance 1972). Tryptamines have apparently not hitherto 
been reported from the Rubiaceae. 
The genus Psychotria comprises more than 700 species from 
the warmer parts of both hemispheres, many of which have 
important roles in folk medicine or are poisons. 
HALLUCINOGENS OF UNCERTAIN USE OR 
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION 
Sundry plants known to possess psychoactive constituents 
may be employed as hallucinogens, but corroboratory evidence 
is necessary. Others are known to be used for their psychoto- 
mimetic properties, but the chemical principles responsible for 
the effects are of uncertain or undetermined structure. 
Aizoaceae 
Mesembryanthemum L. 
More than 225 years ago, the Hottentots of South Africa were 
reported using a narcotic called kanna or channa. At the present 
time, this name applies to sundry species of Mesembryanthe- 
mum (Sceletium), but especially to M. tortuosum L. There is no 
recent evidence, however, that these are hallucinogenically 
employed. Other plants—Sclerocarya Caffra Sond. of the Ana- 
cardiaceae and Cannabis—have been suggested as possible 
identifications (Lewin 1927; Schultes 1967; Schultes and Hof- 
mann 1979). 
Several species of Mesembryanthemum known to cause a 
state of stupour when ingested have yielded alkaloids: mesem- 
brine (XXXI) and mesembrenine (XXXII). Both have the 
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