how the mimosa hostilis plant is legal in the USA and purchase of the plant is not controlled by the FDA. Prospective buyers can purchase the whole plant without fear as its cultivation and spread are legal.

1. What is the mimosa plant

2. What does the mimosa plant look like

3. How is the mimosa plant traditionally used

What is the mimosa plant?

The Mimosa hostilis plant, also known as Jurema, Tepezcohuite and Jequirity (amongst other names), is a perennial tree or shrub native to the northeastern region of Brazil. It’s found in the dry areas of Ceará, Piauí, Maranhão and Bahia, and in the caatinga (semi-desert) regions of eastern Minas Gerais and southern Rio de Janeiro.

What does the mimosa plant look like?

Beyond its name, “Jurema” is not related to “yurema” (another word for a cactus species). It’s a medium-sized tree with a straight trunk and an attractive crown. It can reach up to 11 metres in height, but is usually smaller. Mimosa has grayish-brown bark that often cracks, revealing orange inner bark. Its leaves are deciduous, simple and alternate, growing up to 7 inches in length.

How is the mimosa plant traditionally used?

The Jurema tree’s bark contains DMT, which it releases when rain washes away the outer layer of bark. This is considered by some to be an adaptation giving the plant a competitive advantage over other plants in its dry environment. Soaking or chewing on this bark allows one to access the psychoactive effects of DMT. When used this way, the bark is orally active but very bitter, so some users may prefer to mix it with an edible plant such as Psychotria viridis (chacruna) or Diplopterys cabrerana (chaliponga).