Strychnos toxifera Benth.

  • Authority

    Krukoff, Boris A. & Barneby, Rupert C. 1969. Supplementary notes on the American species of Strychnos. VIII. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 20: 1-93, IX. 94-99.

  • Family

    Loganiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Strychnos toxifera Benth.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Mature fruits globose, large, about 7 cm in diam; shell thick, about 2.5 mm thick, bluish-green, shining, smooth; testa crustaceous; seeds many (10-15), more or less discoid, about 23 mm in diam; fruit-pedicels not seen.

  • Discussion

    Pinkley reports that this species is used in curare of Kofán Indians who live on tributaries bordering Ecuador and Colombia on the eastern side of the Andes at an altitude of 800-1000 ft. Local name: Coto iluchi (Quichua, Ecuador). The first record of the species from Delta Amacuro, Venezuela. This bush-rope of modest dimensions is confined to terra firme as far as the Brazilian Amazonia is concerned. Standley (Flora of Costa Rica, Field Mus. Publ. Bot. 18: 923. 1938) states: “Stryclinos toxifera. Forests of the tierra caliente [Costa Rica]. Ranging to Brazil. ... It is stated that it is used even today [for poisoning their arrows] by the Indians in some parts of Panama.” Hitherto we have not seen specimens of this species from Costa Rica although it may occur there as it is common in the Canal Zone. According to the collector this species is used in curare (Fuller 64) Forest Dept. 2278 and 2285 are vouchers for samples of bark on which Dr. King carried out chemical work (7a:35). According to Dr. Yôhei Hashimoto his specimen was collected from a bush-rope used by Indians as a main ingredient of curare. From the same plant he collected samples for chemical and pharmacological work.

  • Distribution

    Ecuador: Oriente: Upper Bobonaza (1900 ft), Fuller 64 (DS), 82 (DS), 84 (DS). Venezuela: Delta Amacuro; Carlos Blanco 333 (VEN); Hashimoto sn (Aug 28, 1965). British Guiana: basin of the Mazaruni River, Graham 327 (K); basin of the Pomeroon River (Arunamai creek), Forest Dept. 2278 (BM), 2285 (BM); Kanuku Mts., Harrison 1352 (K); Forest Dept. 2301 (BM) (Mt. Iramaikpang, 1200 ft). Surinam: Wilhelmina Gebergte: lower slopes of Juliana top, 500-600 m, Irwin et al. 54776; Sectie O: Stahel sn (Mar 19

    Ecuador South America| Venezuela South America| Guyana South America| Suriname South America| Brazil South America| Panama Central America| Colombia South America|