Virola

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Virola
Canopy of Virola koschnyi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Myristicaceae
Genus: Virola
Aubl. (1775)
Species[1]

71; see text

Virola is a genus of flowering plants in the nutmeg family, Myristicaceae. It includes medium-sized trees native to rainforests of the tropical Americas, ranging from southern Mexico to Bolivia and southern Brazil.[1] Species are known commonly as epená, patricá, or cumala. They have glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of tiny yellow flowers, and may emit a pungent odor.

Traditional use

Several species of this genus have been used to create hallucinogenic snuff powders.[2]

Chemical constituents

The tops of

antifungal action regarding Cladosporium sphaerospermum in doses as low as 25 micrograms. Lignan-7-ols oleiferin-B and oleiferin-G worked for Cladosporium cladosporioides starting as low as 10 micrograms.[3]

Species

71 species are accepted.[1]

Gallery

  • Virola elongata fruit
    Virola elongata fruit
  • Virola elongata seeds
    Virola elongata seeds
  • Virola carinata embryo
    Virola carinata embryo
  • Virola sebifera
    Virola sebifera
  • Virola surinamensis
    Virola surinamensis

Legal status

United States

Louisiana

Except for ornamental purposes, growing, selling or possessing Virola spp. is prohibited by Louisiana State Act 159.

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Virola Aubl. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  2. ^ Torres, C. M., et al. (1991). "Snuff powders from pre-Hispanic San Pedro de Atacama: Chemical and contextual analysis". Current Anthropology, 640–649. Archived 2016-03-09 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Sartorelli, P.; Young, M.C.M.; Kato, M.J., "Antifungal lignans from the arils of Virola oleifera"[permanent dead link]. Phytochemistry-Oxford. Oxford : Elsevier Science Ltd. March 1998. v. 47 (6) p. 1003–1006.
  4. ^ "Virola calophylla". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2008-04-29.

General references

External links

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