Iresine is a genus of 20 to 25 species of flowering plants in the family Amaranthaceae, placed in the order Caryophyllales. All species are native to the American tropics, ranging across Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Plants in this genus are herbaceous or sometimes shrubby, and are distinguished by their densely woolly flowers covered in fine trichomes — the characteristic that inspired the genus name. The foliage of many species is strikingly coloured, with deep red, burgundy, or variegated leaves, which has earned these plants the common name "bloodleaf." This ornamental quality has led to widespread cultivation of certain species, particularly Iresine herbstii (Herbst's bloodleaf), as garden and houseplants in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Beyond horticulture, some species of Iresine hold cultural significance among indigenous peoples of South America, where they are used as additives to ayahuasca, the traditional hallucinogenic ceremonial drink.
Etymology
The genus name Iresine is derived from the Greek word εριος (erios), meaning "woolly," in reference to the dense trichomes that cover the flowers of plants in this genus.
Distribution
All species of Iresine are native to the American tropics, encompassing Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. A small number of species have naturalised outside this range through cultivation.
Cultivation
Several Iresine species with vividly coloured foliage — most notably I. herbstii (Herbst's bloodleaf) and I. flavescens (Yellow bloodleaf) — are grown as ornamental plants in gardens and as houseplants. They thrive in warm, humid conditions and are valued for their striking leaf colours of deep red, burgundy, green, or yellow variegation.
Cultural Uses
Some Iresine species are used in South American indigenous traditions as additives to ayahuasca, the hallucinogenic ceremonial drink prepared primarily from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis. The exact role and species involved vary by regional tradition.
