Hawaiian baby woodrose 889075 219097378 2008-06-13T15:36:47Z Gail 7214503 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/92.8.130.232|92.8.130.232]] to last version by SmackBot (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{Citations missing|date=June 2008}} {{Taxobox | name = Hawaiian Baby Woodrose | image = Argyreia nervosa.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = ''Argyreia nervosa'' flowers ([[Media:Argyreia nervosa.jpg|enlarge]]) | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Solanales]] | familia = [[Convolvulaceae]] | genus = '''''Argyreia''''' | species = '''''A. nervosa''''' | binomial = ''Argyreia nervosa'' | binomial_authority = (Burm.f.) Bojer | synonyms = *''Argyreia speciosa'' <small>(L.f.)Sweet</small> *''Convolvulus nervosus'' <small>Burm.f.</small> *''Convolvulus speciosus'' <small>L.f.</small> *''Ipomoea speciosa'' <small>Pers.</small> *''Lettsomia nervosa'' <small>(Burm.f.)Roxb.</small> *''Rivea nervosa'' <small>(Burm.f.)Hallier f.</small> }} '''Hawaiian Baby Woodrose''' (''Argyreia nervosa''), not to be confused with the [[Hawaiian woodrose]] (''Merremia tuberosa''), is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] climbing [[vine]], also known as '''Elephant Creeper''' and '''Woolly Morning Glory'''. Native to the [[Indian subcontinent]] and introduced to numerous areas worldwide, including [[Hawaii]], [[Africa]] and the [[Caribbean]], it can be invasive, although is often prized for its aesthetic value. == History == The plant is a rare example of a plant whose hallucinogenic properties have only recently been discovered by non-Hawaiians. While its cousins in the Convolvulaceae family, such as the ''[[Rivea corymbosa]]'' (Ololiuhqui) and ''[[Ipomoea tricolor]]'' (Tlitliltzin), were used in shamanic rituals of [[Latin America]] for centuries, the Hawaiian Baby Woodrose was not traditionally recognized as a hallucinogen. Its properties were first brought to attention in the 1960s, despite the fact that the chemical composition of its seeds is nearly identical to those of the two species mentioned above, and the seeds contain the highest concentration of psychoactive compounds in the entire family. Traditional use of the plant in [[India]] usually employed the leaves and roots of the plants, which are not psychoactive, as [[antiseptic]] and [[anti-inflammatory]] drugs. == Cultivation == [[Image:Arygeria.JPG|thumb|right|250px|''Arygeria nervosa'' seeds]] A slight nick should be made away from the germ eye. After this is complete, it is recommended to soak the seeds in water for approximately 24 hours, or at least overnight. If nicked properly, the seeds swell. Some people place approximately 1 to 2 inches (2 to 4&nbsp;cm) in rich potting soil with a good drainage system. It is very important during the first stages of growth to keep the soil moist, though not completely wet, as saturation will cause root rot and possibly mold. It is important to keep the maximum sunlight possible during the initial stages. When the leaves have received too much light, they will start gaining the appearance of wilting; this also seen with lack of watering. Within the first one to two years of growth, this plant grows very bushy. After that, some of the leaves will fall off and it will grow into vines. The vines have been known to grow up to 31 feet (10&nbsp;m) in length. If constant watering is not maintained, these vines will die out before reaching that point and new ones will have to start. The vine will dry out to the closest node during this point. A 5-gallon bucket is suitable for starting two healthy plants. The massive root system of this plant can cause the plant to become rootbound within the first year or so. For example, a 5-year-old plant in a 15-gallon pot (after only six months) will begin to show signs of becoming rootbound. It is suggested to use a 55-gallon drum or a feeding trough (commonly used for livestock and horses). The plant can start growing flowers as early as its life cycle's second year. For this to occur, there must be sufficient watering and adequate room for the roots to grow; it can take up to five years for the first signs of flowering to become visible. The seeds will be found in the pods of the dried flowers. These cannot be harvested until completely dried. == Human Consumption == The seeds of the plant can be consumed to produce light psychedelic effects. As seeds are often sold with a purposeful warning against their consumption, guarantees as to their mind altering effect are not often given by suppliers. It is easy to mix genuine Nervosa seeds with those from inactive plants and so convince users that they lack these effects. Volumes of seeds consumed often begin at just a few, but experienced users have taken upwards of ten to twenty five. The taste of the seeds is not repulsive, being earthy and nutty in taste, but neither is it palatable to many. Consumption of the seed is almost always accompanied by the onset of stomach discomfort within an hour or two. This may remain as a mild side effect when only a few seeds are consumed, but can progress to intense and prolonged nausea that may last for a significant percentage of the experience and induce vomiting. After vomiting has occurred, the sensation of sickness will often rapidly subside. It also appears that the seeds may take a considerable amount of time to fully break down once ingested, as vomiting during the first few hours of the experience can cause it to also subside. Due to the sickness these seeds are able to induce compared to their psychedelic effect, they could be considered a high body load psychoactive. The sensations of dryness and light sensitivity occur particularly at higher doses as the experience progresses. The individual’s mouth and skin may feel excessively dry, with the former holding a distinctive, soapy taste from the seeds if they were chewed. A curious effect of the seeds is an urge to stretch and extend limbs and muscles in the arms and legs; this may be present as slow and controlled writhing, stretching or muscle rubbing whilst laying or sitting down. This sensation has been likened to itching or tingling in the muscles and can make it physically impossible to sleep. A similar contractile effect may be noticed in the abdominal muscles. It is interesting to note that muscle cramping and abdominal contraction are both symptoms of cyanide and ergot poisoning. Numerous suggestions have been made as to the contents of the seeds and how they produce their effects, with it being the present belief that they contain the precursor to LSD, LSA (among a series of other ergotlines), and cyanide (or a cyanogenic glucoside that produces the compound on ingestion). There are also suggestions that the seeds only contain one of these two (either no LSA or no cyanide) and there are numerous methods proposed to ease their consumption, including shelling the seeds, soaking them in wine or soaking them in lemon juice. The first relies on the principle that the cyanide/cyanogenic compounds are present only in the shell its self. The latter rely on hydrolysing the ergotline compounds to lysergic acid. There is not enough information on the composition of the seeds to support these methods and their consumption is not widespread enough for many to have tried such preparations; with many having problems getting the seeds to produce any effect. Oddly, the seeds are not continuous in their nausea inducing effect, and doses that would otherwise cause extreme nausea in an individual may be entirely lacking in this effect when a second, but still psychoactive, collection of seeds is consumed. This may be due to simultaneous consumption of Cannabis by a number of users, although it may also indicate that indeed a component secondary to the ergotlines is responsible for the nausea. Provided genuine Nervosa seeds are consumed, what may be classed as light open eye visuals may be produced at quantities ranging from five to ten seeds. These may include colour, contrast and brightness distortions but are not as vivid as those produced by what would be considered a regular dosing quantity of Psilocybe mushrooms. Those with experience of this may recognise that reflecting objects appear to sparkle. The experience may be closer likened to that produced by Mescaline as opposed to more sensually intense psychoactives. Sensory effects do not appear to increase in a linear fashion as more seeds are consumed, with twenty five producing very little more positive effect than fifteen and under ten producing uncomfortable nausea for most. The effects of consumption have a significant duration, lasting twelve hours or more and may include tingling in hands and feet. == External links == * [http://www.see-emc.net Society of Studies about Ethnobotany and the Modified States of Consciousness] * [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ARNE4 PLANTS database entry] * [http://www.plot55.com/growing/a.nervosa.html Growing Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Plot55.com)] * [http://www.weberseeds.de/species/argyreia_nervosa.htm Argyreia nervosa Flower & Leaf (Photos)] == References == <references/> {{Ergolines}} [[Category:Convolvulaceae]] [[Category:Entheogens]] [[Category:Herbal and fungal hallucinogens]] [[Category:Natural sources of lysergamides]] [[Category:Medicinal plants]] [[ca:Argyreia nervosa]] [[de:Hawaiianische Holzrose]] [[dv:ކުނބުރު]] [[es:Argyreia nervosa]] [[fr:Liane d'argent]] [[pl:Argyreia nervosa]] [[ru:Малая гавайская древовидная роза]] [[sv:Elefantvinda]] [[th:ใบระบาด]]