The beautiful red and black beans of several species of Rhynchosia may have
been eployed in ancient Mexico as an hallucinogenic. Paintings of these seeds
on frescos dated A.D. 300-400 at Tepantitla suggest former use as a sacred
plant. The flowers of R.longeracemosa are yellow, the seeds are light- and
dark-brown. R.pyramidalis has greenish flowers and half-red, half-black
seeds.

Known as 'piule' in Oaxaca, Mexico, a general term for entheogens although such use has never been documented. The beautiful seeds are hard with a red and black yin-yang type pattern. They are used as good-luck charms and regarded as auspicious gifts. Must be nicked and soaked before planting. Thought to be highly toxic