Family: Malpighiaceae
Banisteriopsis caapi, also known as ayahuasca, soul vine, or caapi, is a tropical woody vine native to the Amazon Basin of South America. It’s well known for its cultural and ceremonial use among Indigenous communities, who prepare it as part of traditional spiritual practices. In the landscape, B. caapi is a vigorous climber that can grow rapidly up trees and structures, forming dense, woody stems. Its leaves are broad and glossy, and the vine produces small, delicate pink or white flowers. While the plant may appear ornamental and intriguing, its fast growth and ability to overtop other vegetation make it a species to treat with caution.
In Hawai‘i, Banisteriopsis caapi is not widely cultivated, but there are reports of it potentially naturalizing on Maui, where the warm, humid climate could allow it to spread into surrounding vegetation. As a strong, woody vine, it has the ability to smother or displace nearby plants if it escapes cultivation. Plant Pono encourages growers to consider this risk and avoid planting species that could become invasive or harmful to Hawai‘i’s ecosystems. If you’re looking for a tropical or culturally meaningful vine, many safe, non-invasive alternatives are available that won’t put native forests at risk.
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Unconfirmed reports of naturalization
- Allelopathic
- Medicinal properties (could be toxic if taken internally in incorrect doses)
- Shade-tolerant
- Smothering habit (sometimes killing supporting trees)
- Seeds, if produced, adapted for wind dispersal
- Able to regrow after repeated cutting
- Limited biological and ecological information makes accurate risk prediction difficult
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Requires specialized pollinators
- Limited seed production in cultivation makes inadvertent dispersal unlikely
- Seeds lose viability rapidly
