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.
Species

About 67 species, see text.

Virola is a genus of medium-sized trees native to the South American rainforest and closely related to other Myristicaceae, such as nutmeg. 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.[1]

Chemical constituents

The tops of Virola oleifera have been shown to produce lignan-7-ols and verrucosin that have 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.[2]

Species

About 76 species, including:[3]

Gallery

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. ^ 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
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Genus Species list for John's species database". www3.isrl.uiuc.edu. Archived from the original on 2005-04-30. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  4. ^ "Virola calophylla". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  5. ^ "Virola macrocarpa A.C. Sm". mobot.mobot.org. Archived from the original on 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  6. ^ "Virola megacarpa A.H. Gentry". mobot.mobot.org. Archived from the original on 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  7. ^ "Virola michelii Heckel". mobot.mobot.org. Archived from the original on 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  8. ^ "Virola multicostata Ducke". mobot.mobot.org. Archived from the original on 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  9. ^ "Discover Life - Myristicaceae: Virola multiflora (Standl. ) A. C. Sm. - Fruta dorada". Discover Life. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  10. ^ "Virola surinamensis (Rol. ex Rottb.) Warb". mobot.mobot.org. Archived from the original on 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  11. ^ "Virola venosa (Benth.) Warb". mobot.mobot.org. Archived from the original on 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2008-05-03.

General references

External links

Taxon identifiers
Authority control databases: National
Categories