| Radula marginata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Marchantiophyta |
| Class: | Jungermanniopsida |
| Order: | Porellales |
| Family: | Radulaceae |
| Genus: | Radula |
| Species: | R. marginata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Radula marginata (Hook.f. & Taylor) Gottsche, Lindenb. & Nees
| |
Radula marginata, or Wairuakohu, is a species of plant in the genus Radula,[1] a genus of liverworts. It is endemic to New Zealand.[2][3] It has been found to contain cannabinoids.[4][5]
Users smoking the plant have experienced different effects.[6][citation needed] The cannabinoid is not THC, the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, but it is of similar molecular structure.[4] The liverwort contains perrottetinene and perrottetinenic acid.[4] The quantity of cannabinoid present is much less than in cannabis. Perrottetinene has been shown to be a moderately potent CB1 agonist leading to mild psychoactive effects in mice.[7]
The liverwort grows as a common weed.[citation needed] Owning, growing and distributing the liverwort is legal.
Radula marginata may have been used in rongoā (Māori herbal medicine), but there is no firm evidence of this.