About Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan
Anadenanthera colubrina, also called vilca, huilco, huilca, wilco, willka, curupay, curupau, cebil, or angico, is a South American tree that is closely related to yopo (Anadenanthera peregrina). This species reaches a height of 5 to 20 meters (16 to 66 feet), and has a very thorny trunk. Its leaves are similar in appearance to mimosa leaves, growing up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) long and folding inward at night. In Argentina, A. colubrina produces flowers between September and December, and develops bean pods from September through July. In Brazil, this species has been classified as having "high priority" for conservation action. A. colubrina is distributed across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Cuba, and Mauritius. A sweetened drink can be prepared from the bark of this tree. In traditional medicine, the bark is the most commonly used part of the tree. Gum harvested from A. colubrina is used medicinally to treat upper respiratory tract infections, act as an expectorant, and relieve cough.
