Virola

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 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.[3]

Species

71 species are accepted.[1]

  • 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

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