Strychnos jobertiana Baill.

  • Authority

    Krukoff, Boris A. 1965. Supplementary notes on the American species of Strychnos VII. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 12: 1-94.

  • Family

    Loganiaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Strychnos jobertiana Baill.

  • Description

    Distribution and Ecology - Colombia: Amazonas (Leticia), Ducke 1866; Putumayo: Rio Putumayo (frontera Colombo-equatoriana, frente a Nueva Granada, alt. 390 m), Idrobo 2627. French Guiana (near Mecro, opposite Clevelandia), B. Maguire, Pires & C. Maguire 47100. Brazil: Territory of Amapa: basin of Rio Oiapoque, Froes 25801, 25851, Black 49-8279. Para: basin of Rio Tocantins: Rio Itacaiuna, Froes & Black 24475. Amazonas: basin of Rio Negro (near Manaos), Ducke 1781, 1914; basin of Rio Solimoes, Froes 28918, 28958, 24042, Black 47-1258.This is the first record of the species from French Guiana, from the Territory of Amapa, and from the basin of Rio Tocantins, Para.Distribution: Venezuela (Amazonas); Colombia (Vaupés, Putumayo and Amazonas); Ecuador; Peru (Loreto) ; French Guiana and Brazil. In Brazil it has been collected in the Territory of Amapa, in the State of Para (basins of Rio Tapajos and Rio Tocantins); and in the State of Amazonas (basins of the upper and lower Rio Negro, of Rio Tonantins, of the middle Rio Jurua, of the lower Rio Javari and of Rio Solimoes). Doubtless occurs also in Amazonian Bolivia.Specimens from Ecuador (Gill 9, 19 & 74) are from an elevation of 1000 m.

  • Discussion

    Ducke 1914 represents three collections made from the same plant: one, on July 10, 1943; another, in flower, on Aug. 7, 1945; and the third, with immature fruits, on Feb. 5,1946. Mature fruits of this species are now known and were described by Ducke (31: 26, 55). As is the case with stems, branchlets and leaves, the fruits resemble those of S. ramentifera. On the basis of the type collection, Jobert reports S. Jobertiana as one of the two species of Strychnos used by the Cauichanás (Rio Tonantins) in Brazil in preparation of curare the other being S. subcordata. It is also used as a secondary ingredient, by the Javas in Brazil and Peru, and according to Gill, for the same purpose by the Canelos in Ecuador (1: 282). On the label of a specimen collected in the basin of Rio Putumayo, Putumayo, Colombia (Idrobo 2627) it is stated “se cree es veneno segun informa Tiburcio Payoguaje.” This species was studied by Folkers and Unna in 1937 (39: 692) who demonstrated the presence of alkaloids which cause curare-like action in frogs. This work was done on stem bark of Krukoff 7657 collected in the basin of the upper Rio Solimoes, Amazonas, Brazil. This species was also studied some 16 years later by Marini-Bettolo, Bovet and their coworkers. For the alkaloid content, toxicity and curare activity of the total extracts, see (95: 1142, 1144). In another paper the same authors state: “Alcaloides seulement en traces” (108:268). The work referred to above was done on stem bark collected by Ducke north east of Flores, near Manaos, Amazonas, Brazil in April 1953 (5: 1145; 108: 268).

  • Distribution

    Distribution: Venezuela (Amazonas); Colombia (Vaupés, Putumayo and Amazonas); Ecuador; Peru (Loreto) ; French Guiana and Brazil. In Brazil it has been collected in the Territory of Amapa, in the State of Para (basins of Rio Tapajos and Rio Tocantins); and in the State of Amazonas (basins of the upper and lower Rio Negro, of Rio Tonantins, of the middle Rio Jurua, of the lower Rio Javari and of Rio Solimoes). Doubtless occurs also in Amazonian Bolivia.Specimens from Ecuador (Gill 9, 19 & 74) are

    Venezuela South America| Colombia South America| Ecuador South America| Peru South America| Suriname South America| Brazil South America|