OSTEOPHLOEUM-PLATYSPERMUM AND VIROLA-DUCKEI (MYRISTICACEAE) - NEWLY REPORTED AS HALLUCINOGENS FROM AMAZONIAN ECUADOR

Quijos Quichua collaborators identified Osteophloeum platyspermum and Virola duckei (Myristicaceae) as sources of a psychoactive sap. This i s the first reported hallucinogenic use of Myristicaceae from Ecuador. Species in Malpighiaceae and Solanaceae are more common sources of ha llucinogens. but older Quichua still employ these myristicaceous speci es. Virola is used widely as a hallucinogen in other parts of Amazonia but there are no previous reports on the psychoactive use of O. platy spermum. Field tests for the presence of alkaloids using Dragendorff's reagent were positive for both species. Like the Bora and Witoto in P eru, the Quijos Quichua consume myristicaceous hallucinogens orally. M ost other indigenous peoples prepare psychoactive snuffs from the bark and sap.