Salvia divinorum
Origin and history
Native to the tropical mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico, Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries by Mazatec shamans in healing and divination rituals. It was particularly prized for its visionary and medicinal properties.
This plant was introduced to modern science through the work of R. Gordon Wasson, who collected specimens in the 1960s. It was later described and officially named by botanists Carl Epling and Carlos D. Játiva in 1962. The name "divinorum" means "of the diviners", in reference to its spiritual role.
Full botanical description
Family: Lamiaceae
Shape: Herbaceous, upright
Dimensions:
Height: 100 to 150 cm
Width: 60 to 90 cm
Foliage: Bright green, broad, not evergreen, slightly velvety to the touch.
Flowering: Late summer
Flowers: Tubular, white with pale blue hues, borne by green bracts. Flowering is rare when grown outside its natural habitat.
Cultivation requirements
Exposure: Partial shade, protected from direct sunlight.
Soil: Moist, rich in organic matter, well drained.
Hardiness: Up to 0°C. Mainly grown in pots or greenhouses in temperate regions.
Watering: Regular, with high ambient humidity.
Specific maintenance
Protect from frost in winter by bringing the plant indoors or into a heated greenhouse.
Maintain good humidity, especially in a dry atmosphere.
Prune lightly to encourage a dense shape and the production of new stems.
Propagation
Mainly by cuttings: cuttings root easily in a humid environment, in water or a light substrate.
Garden Use
Medicinal and ornamental plant, cultivated in specific conditions to mimic its tropical habitat.
Sought after for its hallucinogenic properties due to its active compound, salvinorin A, and for its cultural role in the spiritual practices of the Mazatecs.
Varieties and Notes
The plant is mainly cultivated in its natural form, without great varietal variations.
It requires careful care outside its native environment.
Due to its traditional use and medicinal potential, it is the subject of scientific and ethnobotanical interest.
Scientific Discovery
Collected in the 1960s by R. Gordon Wasson, a pioneer ethnobotanist.
Described and officially named in 1962 by botanists Carl Epling and Carlos D. Játiva, who highlighted its cultural importance and uniqueness in the Salvia genus.
Additional Notes
Salvia divinorum is today surrounded by a strict legislative framework in many countries because of its psychotropic potential. It nevertheless remains a fascinating plant for researchers and botany enthusiasts.