Botanical Registry
Boahuasca
Common Name: Banisteriopsis caapi — Boahuasca (Vine of the Boa)
Overview
Boahuasca is a symbolic variant name for Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi). The name translates to "vine of the boa" or "rope of the boa spirit" — reflecting the connection between the vine and the anaconda in Amazonian cosmology.
The ayahuasca vine resembles a serpent in form. Serpent spirits are among the most common beings encountered in ceremony. Many shamans perceive the ayahuasca spirit itself as a giant anaconda. The name Boahuasca captures this relationship, maintaining the spiritual weight of "Ayahuasca" (vine of the soul) while emphasising the serpentine nature of the vine's spirit.
See Full Profile
For complete information on the vine, its pharmacology, traditional uses, and role in ceremony, see the full profile: Banisteriopsis caapi — Ayahuasca.
Botanical Notes
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Banisteriopsis caapi |
| Family | Malpighiaceae |
| Also Known As | Ayahuasca, Yagé, Caapi, Natem |
| Note | Boahuasca is a symbolic variant name, not a distinct species |