Cytisus canariensis (L.)
Hallucinogen and Tobacco Substitute
Location: Africa, Asia, Europe, and Mexico
The Genista plant is a rough, coarse evergreen plant that can reach a height of 6 ft. Technically, it is still a shrub and is healthy branched. It is most easily recognized by its vibrant, bright yellow flowers. There are hairy pods which accompany the flowers.
There are a number of traditional uses for the plant. Genista was used within Old World rituals as a hallucinogen and is still used by shaman around the world today. It also has similar effects as nicotine and is frequently used as a substitute for tobacco.
