Argyreia nervosa - Hawaiian Baby Woodrose Information

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Argyreia nervosa - Hawaiian Baby Woodrose

Page Contents

1. Argyreia nervosa Names/Taxonomy

2. Argyreia nervosa Morphology

3. HBWR Methods of Use

4. HBWR Experience

5. Argyreia nervosa Chemistry

6. Argyreia nervosa vs Argyreia speciosa

7. Related Pages

1. Argyreia nervosa names: Back to top

Family: Convolvulaceae

Tribe: Ipomoeeae.

Botanical Name: Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer

Varieties: A. nervosa var. nervosa, A. nervosa var. speciosa.

English Name(s): Hawaiian Baby Woodrose

Synonyms: Argyreia speciosa (L. f.) Sweet; Convolvulus nervosus Burm. f. (basionym); Convolvulus speciosus L. f.; Lettsomia nervosa (Burm. f.) Roxb.

Related Species: Argyreia nervosa has now taken in Argyreia speciosa as a variety of Argyreia nervosa.

2. Morphology: Back to top

Size & Growth Habit: Hawaiian Baby Woodrose is a sprawling vine that wraps around things to grab hold. It is capable of growing out and up and may grow a few inches in a single day! HBWR tends to grow outwards and send out new stems from each node in an upward fashion making a fairly dense "canopy" effectively snuffing out the competion via shade. The vine has been seen by use reaching about 25 meters tall and the longest we was was abotu 35 meters long though we don't see any reason this can't easily be larger given a chance. Argyreia nervosa is considered a noxious weed, quite capapble of becoming naturalized in warm moist areas. Luckily it seems to be unable to produce seed if there is only one plant around.
Leaves:
Stems:
Roots:
Flower:
Calyx:
Ovary:
Style:
Stigma:
Filaments:
Anthers:
Pollen:
Seeds:
Variegated HBWR: Argyreia nervosa var. variegata
Argyreia nervosa var. variegata is a variety we devoloped here. The leaves are usaully edged light green-yellow with streaks going inward. The leaves also tend to stay smaller than regular Argyreia nervosa plants, at about half the length and width. See our Plant Database for our records on this plant.

3. Methods of Use: Back to top

As a Psychedelic

HBWR as Argyreia nervosa is often referred to (short form of "Hawaiian Baby Woodrose") has psychoactive seeds. From 1-15 (Usually under 5) seeds are consumed orally to bring on desired effects. The seeds, once removed from the seed pod, are generally scraped as there is a common belief this may help avoid severe nausea. This may or may not be true.

HBWR seeds may also be prepared in a cold water extraction, this is said to greatly reduce nausea. Crushed seeds are soaked in cool water for a few hours with some stirring, screened and drunk.

There is mention of unripe seeds and seed pods along with fewer reports of flower buds and leaves also being active. We are unaware of any truth to these claims but feel there could be some substance to them. Care should be taken as this plant is known to cause some very severe nausea/pain.

4. The Experience: Back to top

As a Psychedelic

When seeds are eaten the most intense type of experience one can expect is mild visual distortions and color change. Some compare it to weak LSD, this may not be the most accurate comparison but there are parralels. Lower dosages of seeds generally cause some color and/or light intensity change and some euphoria. With stronger doses things along the same lines just get stronger. 2 main negaives to this seed are nausea and cramping. Some of the chemicals in the seed cause some really bad nausea which will often lead to heavy vomiting. Cramping is usually noticed up to a few days after ingestion, especially in the legs.

5. Argyreia nervosa chemistry: Back to top

Please note: Some chemicals may not be listed and some may or may not be toxic. Do not consume plants based on this table, it only gives a general idea of *some* of the chemicals this plant contains.

Also note that the below table was based on Argyreia nervosa var. nervosa not Argyreia nervosa var. speciosa.

Referrence: Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases.
Chemical Name	Plant part	Chemical activities
Chanoclavine	Seed.	No Activites listed.
Ergine	Seed.	No Activites listed.
Ergonovine	Seed.	No Activites listed.
Isoergine	Seed.	Hallucinogen.
Lysergic-acid-amides	Seed.	No Activites listed.
Penniclavine	Seed.	No Activites listed.
Strychnine	Plant	Analeptic, Antiapneic, Diazepam, Antihyperglycemic, Antioxidant, Apertif, Canicide, Circulatory-Stimulant, CNS-Stimulant, Convulsant, Peristaltic, Rodenticide, Stimulant, Tonic.