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Unlike other species of salvia, ''Salvia divinorum'' produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. For an unknown reason, pollen fertility is reduced. There is no active pollen tube inhibition within the style, but some event or process after the pollen tube reaches the ovary is aberrant.<ref name="Reisfield1993">{{Harvnb|Reisfield|1993}}.</ref> Partial sterility is often suggestive of a hybrid origin, although no species have been recognized as possible parent species. The ability to grow indistinguishable plants from seeds produced by self pollination also weakens the hybrid theory of origin, instead implying [[inbreeding depression]], or an undiscovered incompatibility mechanism. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or [[layering]]. Although isolated strands of ''S. divinorum'' exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the [[Mazatec]] people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.<ref name="Marushia2002p3" />
Unlike other species of salvia, ''Salvia divinorum'' produces few seeds, and those seldom germinate. For an unknown reason, pollen fertility is reduced. There is no active pollen tube inhibition within the style, but some event or process after the pollen tube reaches the ovary is aberrant.<ref name="Reisfield1993">{{Harvnb|Reisfield|1993}}.</ref> Partial sterility is often suggestive of a hybrid origin, although no species have been recognized as possible parent species. The ability to grow indistinguishable plants from seeds produced by self pollination also weakens the hybrid theory of origin, instead implying [[inbreeding depression]], or an undiscovered incompatibility mechanism. The plant is mainly propagated by cuttings or [[layering]]. Although isolated strands of ''S. divinorum'' exist, these are thought to have been purposely created and tended by the [[Mazatec]] people. For this reason, it is considered a true cultigen, not occurring in a wild state.<ref name="Marushia2002p3" />
All known specimens are clones from a small number of collected plants. Two strains are in major circulation: the [[R. Gordon Wasson|Wasson]]/[[Albert Hofmann|Hofmann]] strain, obtained upon request from a Mazatec shaman in [[Oaxaca]] in 1962, and the Blosser ('Palatable') strain, obtained around 1980. The Palatable strain is said to have a more acceptable taste than the Wasson/Hofmann strain, although most reports suggest that there is little difference.
All known specimens are clones from a small number of collected plants. Two strains are in major circulation: the Wasson/Hofmann strain, obtained upon request from a Mazatec shaman in [[Oaxaca]] in 1962, and the Blosser ('Palatable') strain, obtained around 1980. The Palatable strain is said to have a more acceptable taste than the Wasson/Hofmann strain, although most reports suggest that there is little difference.
Additional commercial strains are in circulation, but all seem to be similar in potency, effect, and growth. The numerous different names have more to do with marketing than with the formal identification of botanically distinct strains.
Additional commercial strains are in circulation, but all seem to be similar in potency, effect, and growth. The numerous different names have more to do with marketing than with the formal identification of botanically distinct strains.
==Pests and diseases==
==Pests and diseases==
Whiteflys are a common pest. Susceptible to other pests associated with herbaceous plants as well.
==Uses==
==Uses==
Most commonly grown for the [[psychoactive]] properties of the plant. Otherwise grown as a decorative foliage plant - flowers infrequently and flowers are not prominent, nor scented.
==History==
==History==
''Salvia divinorum'' was first found in Oaxaca Mexico where it is used by the Mazatec Indians to facilitate visions and to treat diarrhea, headaches, and a magical disease called ''panzon de borrego'', otherwise known as swollen belly. It was first recorded in print by Jean Basset Johnson in 1939 as he was studying [[Mazatec]] [[shaman|shamanism]].<ref name="Marushia2002p2">{{Harvnb|Marushia|2002|p=2}}.</ref> He later documented its usage and reported its effects through personal testimonials.<ref name="Valdes1983p290">{{Harvnb|Valdés|Díaz|Paul|1983|p=290}}.</ref> It was not until the 1990s that the psychoactive mechanism was identified by a team led by [[Daniel Siebert]].<ref name="Marushia2002p11">{{Harvnb|Marushia|2002|p=11}}.</ref>
[[Image:Salvia divinorum -1.jpg|thumb|right|Flowering ''Salvia divinorum'']]
The history of the plant is not known, but there are three possibilities as to its origin. Since it is found in one small area and only one indigenous group uses it, it is either native to this area, is a cultigen of the Mazatecs, or is a cultigen of another indigenous group.<ref name="Marushia2002p6" /> Wasson theorized that this plant was the mythological [[pipilzintzintli]], the "Noble Prince" of the [[Aztec]] [[codex|codices]].<ref name="Valdes1983p288" /> However, this theory is not without dispute. The Aztecs were extremely knowledgeable in plant identification, and their records report that ''pipilzintzintli'' has both male and female varieties. ''Salvia divinorum'', however, is [[monoecious]], meaning it produces flowers of both sexes on a single plant. Skeptics of this theory report that the Aztecs would have known the difference between male and female flowers. Wasson gains validity, however, as a number of Aztec historical accounts classify plants as male or female in a metaphorical, rather than botanically anatomical manner.
==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
| binomial_authority = Epling & Játiva<ref name="Valdés1983p287">{{Harvnb|Valdés|Díaz|Paul|1983|p=287}}.</ref>
| binomial_authority = Epling & Játiva<ref name="Valdés1983p287">{{Harvnb|Valdés|Díaz|Paul|1983|p=287}}.</ref>
}}
}}
==Distribution and habitat==
==Distribution and habitat==