Maconha Brava: 20 grams of dried Zornia latifolia
Zornia latifolia is a perennial herb in the legume family, the same group that gives us beans and clover. It stays close to the ground, with branching stems that sprawl to roughly half a metre. The foliage gives it away: leaflets sit in pairs of two on a single stalk and are narrow and lance shaped, no more than four centimetres long. Its flower spike carries up to thirty five small yellow blooms that stay open for only a few hours of the day, after which a spiny, hairy pod forms. In its native range the species grows on savanna with acidic soil.
The genus Zornia holds around eighty species and turns up across almost every tropical region. This one belongs to South America, from Brazil and Suriname down to Peru and Paraguay, and has since naturalised in tropical West Africa as well. Its Portuguese name, maconha brava, translates as something like wild weed: Brazilian Indians once used the dried leaf as a cannabis substitute, which is where the nickname comes from. Botanically, Zornia has nothing to do with cannabis. In Suriname the plant is called koemataballi, while Spanish speaking regions know it as tencilla, barba de burro or caminadora. Bear in mind that several Zornia species look very much alike, so common names get swapped around a lot.
What is in the bag and how to store it
You receive 20 grams of dried plant material in green to brownish green shades. Traditionally this material was dried for smoking blends or brewed as a herbal tea. Store the bag dry, dark and properly sealed, because moisture is the main enemy of any dried leaf. Keep it out of reach of children, avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and talk to your doctor if you take medication. Sales are to adults of eighteen and over, and use remains your own responsibility.
Herbs at Avalon Magic Plants
If you want to compare a few more herbs from this shelf, have a look at Klip Dagga (Leonotis nepetifolia), Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa), Valerian and Chamomile. Every order leaves our warehouse discreetly packed.
