Unknown Caapi

[inermis]

Got some mixed Caapi seeds a few years back.
Out of my plants there is one that stands out and seems slightly different from the rest.
It grows with leaves that are that have a almost blue hue to them and when flipped there is a silver hue caused by a layer of fine tiny hairs on underside of leaf.
It's a really beautiful plant...Any ideas on a positive ID would be much appreciated?

 

[Transform]

This seems worthy of a bump, even if I have precisely zero of anything else useful to offer, besides appreciation for your efforts.

 

[inermis]

Yeah
Got to be someone out there who might have a idea....

 

[Transform]

My only other suggestion would be to start digging into the botanical literature in earnest. I hope your Portuguese is up to scratch

There's a good few of us here who can provide support on literature searches and interpretation, myself included.

 

[modern]

I'd guess it is just a very interesting phenotype... My plant is the reverse... new growth is very similar with a silver/blue hue but as leaf matures it loses those traits.

 

[inermis]

Thanks @Transform and @modern

I did do a little reading
I find one on the net that was in Portuguese?
Have no understanding of that language unfortunately - but did find this Alicia anisopetala (Black ayahuasca) & macrodisca and related vines workspace here on Nexus
From the description here
"Few notes on Alicia. It is very hairy leaved. the smell is distinct. the vine bleeds black when cut. It grows very uniformly compared to caapi. Also the baby leaves start grey colored and then go light green to dark green. its quite beautiful."

Seems very likely my plant may be a Alicia.
Havnt done the test yet to see if it bleeds black when cut.

 

[Animistic]

Not Alicia anisopetala. It has the nodes on the base of the leaf like Banisteriposis sp. My guess is Banisteriopsis muricata or red ayahausca.

 

[inermis]

I must thank you @TheAwakening
You opened a Pandora's box for me....

I did notice these little marks on undersides of leaves but never really knew what they were.
After your post I did a little research and have been blown away.
Turns out these little glands are extrafloral nectaries(EFNs)
They secrete a protein rich nectar which attracts mainly ants (and other pollinators)which feed on it.
Here are two very interesting articles on the subject.

Leaf glands of Banisteriopsis muricata (Malpighiaceae): distribution, secretion composition, anatomy and relationship to visitors

ABSTRACT Leaf glands are common structures in Malpighiaceae and exhibit great morphological...

doi.org

Taxonomic relevance of leaf anatomy in <i>Banisteriopsis</i> C.B. Rob. (Malpighiaceae)

ABSTRACT We describe the leaf anatomy of 42 of the 60 species of the genus Banisteriopsis, one...

doi.org

I decided to go into my garden and take a closer look.
I was blown away by how many insect visitors are taking advantage of this secretion.
3-5 different ants
3-5 different bees
3 wasps
And a ladybug...
I couldn't take pictures of all of them because most of them are so quick and it's difficult to get a picture while vine is moving in wind but managed to snap a few.

Simply amazing!!

I havnt yet found much info on Alicia EFNs but will keep looking.

The ones on my plant in the opening post seem much different (smaller) than the ones I was observing all the insect activity on.
This plant is from seed which I got from a very kind member off our sister site and they came labelled as red Caapi(B.muricata)?
Visually two very different plants...

What amazed me even more was reading about the "shultz enigma"

Tetrapterys methystica Archives - Rainforest Medicine Council Gatherings

rainforestmedicine.net

Seems like there is way more to learn
Lifetimes ....
I'm only just scratching the surface

 

[Animistic]

@inermis I'm glad it stimulated so much curiosity. That's exactly what they are. Symbiotic with us and the insects, connecting us through its nectars in a more literal than figurative way too! I see it that every plant is a hologram where each part contains the whole of the plant, as well as a reflection of its inner life or workings, this is a great example of it with Ayahuasca vines.

I love growing the plants you get to really know them, which is how I instantly recognised B. muricata.

Alicia from what I remember of my plant which came to an untimely and early end didn't have the glands.

 

[monver]

ot some mixed Caapi seeds a few years back.
Out of my plants there is one that stands out and seems slightly different from the rest.
It grows with leaves that are that have a almost blue hue to them and when flipped there is a silver hue caused by a layer of fine tiny hairs on underside of leaf.
It's a really beautiful plant...Any ideas on a positive ID would be much appreciated?
I use a 12-inch planter saucer for my indoor plants to prevent water spillage and protect my furniture. It's sturdy and deep enough to hold excess water, keeping my floors dry. Plus, the saucer's design complements my decor nicely. It's a practical solution for maintaining plant health and cleanliness indoors.

Hey there! Your plant sounds fascinating. The blue hue on the leaves and the silver underside suggest it might be a variety of Banisteriopsis caapi, often referred to as "Sky Ayahuasca." The fine hairs are a characteristic of some strains. However, it could also be a different species altogether. To get a positive ID, you might want to post some clear photos of the leaves, stems, and overall plant structure. Good luck with your beautiful plant!