Sinicuiche, Hachinal

Heimia syphilitica de Candolle; Nesaea salicifolia Kunth

Stems narrowly 4-winged or 4-angled. Leaves 15–55[–87] × 2–10 mm. Floral tube 5–9 × 3–4 mm; epicalyx segments linear-corniform, 2–2.5 mm, apex often in-curved; sepals 1.5–2 × 1.5 mm; petals broadly obovate, 5–10(–14) × 3–5 mm. Capsules globose, 3–4.5 × 3.5–5.5 mm. Seeds 0.5–0.8 × 0.2–0.3 mm. 2n = 16 (Mexico, Bolivia).

Flowering spring–summer. Moist soil, streamsides in brushland; 0–1500 m; Tex.; Mexico; South America; introduced in West Indies, Central America.

Heimia salicifolia has an extensive native distribution from northern Argentina to southeastern Texas, with a gap in Central America. The species is employed in Mexico and parts of South America in traditional medicine and religious rites to induce mild auditory and visionary hallucinogenic effects. The array of me­dicinal applications also includes use as a strong anti-inflammatory, soporific, diuretic, and antisyphilitic, and for healing wounds. The effects obtained are due to the synergy of alkaloids present in the leaves (M. H. Malone and A. Rother 1994).