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Heimia salicifolia

Heimia salicifolia

(Kunth) Link
Yerba De La Vida

Family: Lythraceae
Order: Myrtales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Phylum / Division: Magnoliophyta
Kingdom: Plantae

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Description


Heimia salicifolia is a species of flowering plant in the Loosestrife family, Lythraceae. It is native to the Americas, ranging from the southwestern United States (Texas and New Mexico) through Mexico and Central America to Argentina. Common names include shrubby yellowcrest, sinicuichi, sun opener, willow-leaf heimia, sini. The plant has been used for shamanic purposes by native peoples in Central America and Mexico.

Isolated alkaloids: Source:
  • Vertine, also known as cryogenine, is regarded as the primary bioactive component and is also generally the most abundant constituent of alkaloidal extracts.
  • Lyfoline, the second most abundant alkaloid
  • Lythrine, the third most abundant alkaloid
  • Heimidine, a minor alkaloid
  • Lythridine, a minor alkaloid


Spiritual use: Use of H. salicifolia for shamanic purposes by native peoples of Central America and Mexico has been described. It is reported to produce both hallucinogenic effects and medical effects. In the method of preparation commonly used, fresh leaves are collected and allowed to wilt. The leaves are put into a cup or jar, cool water is added, and the mixture is placed in the sun to brew and ferment for at least 24 hours. It is said that during the fermentation process, the knowledge of the sun is embedded into the potion, creating the "elixir of the sun."

Source: Wikipedia, article Heimia salicifolia. Content adapted from Wikipedia, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license. Accessed on 17/07/2026.





Geographic distribution


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Species photographs

Count: 39

Foto
Photography ID: 690991
  Adult

El Cantadero
La Rioja
Argentina
01/21/2024
Federico Carlos Izasa
Foto
Photography ID: 680988
  Adult

Chancani
Córdoba
Argentina
01/23/2026
Walter Bustamante
Foto
Photography ID: 672332
♂ ♀
  Adult

Departamento La Caldera
Salta
Argentina
02/08/2026
Eduardo Vicente Fumarola
Foto
Photography ID: 672331
♂ ♀
  Adult

Departamento La Caldera
Salta
Argentina
02/08/2026
Eduardo Vicente Fumarola
Foto
Photography ID: 672329
♂ ♀
  Adult

Departamento La Caldera
Salta
Argentina
02/08/2026
Eduardo Vicente Fumarola
Foto
Photography ID: 664473
♂ ♀
  Adult

Salta (Capital)
Salta
Argentina
12/14/2025
Eduardo Vicente Fumarola
Foto
Photography ID: 664472
♂ ♀
  Adult

Salta (Capital)
Salta
Argentina
12/14/2025
Eduardo Vicente Fumarola
Foto
Photography ID: 664471
♂ ♀
  Adult

Salta (Capital)
Salta
Argentina
12/14/2025
Eduardo Vicente Fumarola
Foto
Photography ID: 660800
  Adult

Departamento La Paz
Entre Ríos
Argentina
11/08/2025
Peter Vidana



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Species reports



 Detail of places sorted by number of records






Species records

Count: 39



Page 1 of 4
Record IDDateExact timeCountryProvince / departmentPlaceFilmedPhotographedRecorded vocalObservedHeardWounded or deadNumber of individualsUser or BibliographyDetail
243084408/02/2026ArgentinaSaltaArcén Ruta P115, frente Escuela Madre Tierra, Lesser, Municipio Vaqueros, Departamento La CalderaEduardo Vicente Fumarola
242696601/02/202607:21ArgentinaSanta FeCamino Rural, San Jerónimo Norte1Gustavo Fernando Durán
245526523/01/2026ArgentinaCórdobaParque Provincial Chancaní, ChancaniWalter Bustamante
241752614/01/2026ArgentinaCatamarcaSan José / Sierra de Ancasti, Reserva Eco Educativa Las CorzuelasRamón Vera
240393514/12/2025ArgentinaSaltaParque del bicentenario, Salta (Capital)Eduardo Vicente Fumarola
239240208/11/2025ArgentinaEntre RíosArroyo Feliciano, Departamento La PazPeter Vidana
239106508/11/2025ArgentinaEntre RíosBalneario Arroyo Feliciano, Paraje El QuebrachoGaston Lisandro Gabinetti
227397502/04/2025ArgentinaJujuyParque Nacional CalileguaMaria Belén Dri
227870401/04/2025ArgentinaJujuyParque Nacional CalileguaDiego Carus
227386301/04/2025ArgentinaJujuyParque Nacional CalileguaMaria Belén Dri
Page 1 of 4

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Recommended citation
Please use the following reference when citing this species account.
EcoRegistros. 2026. Heimia salicifolia – Species account. Accessed from www.ecoregistros.org on 14/09/2026.