Strychnos tomentosa 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 tomentosa Benth.

  • Description

    Species Description - Mature fruits globose, very large, the largest examined 10 cm in diam; shell thick, hard but fragile, 2-3 mm thick, nearly black and with a membranaceous skin, exfoliating in patches, rather shining, smooth; testa crustaceous, thin, glabrous; seeds many, more or less discoid, about 20 mm long and 15 mm broad; fruit-pedicels ±14 mm in diam; pulp edible, with pleasant odor and taste (Ducke 1711 and others). Fruits and seeds are very similar to those of S. panamensis (see remarks under S. panamensis) also of S. tabascana and S. trinervis.

  • Discussion

    Krukoff 9117 (sterile, from a young plant) was placed with S. darienensis with doubts (1: 294)4. Its petioles are hirsute with long hairs and leaves are not barbate in the axils of principal nerves. Recently on the examination of this specimen it was decided that it is best placed with S. tomentosa. It matches Froes 23110 and certain other sterile specimens from young plants which were originally named incorrectly (7a: 89). Local name: Bebi-baka-tetei (Par., French Guiana). The first record of the species from French Guiana and from the Federal District, Venezuela, these collections greatly extend its range. This giant bush-rope is confined to the high forest on terra firme as far as the Brazilian Amazonia is concerned. Specimens in flower in Brazil were collected from July to October. According to King the alkaloid content of this species was found to be “+” (Forest Dept. 2270 (74)4. In another paper (75]4 by the same author the alkaloid content of Forest Dept. 2270 is given “+," curare activity “none.”

  • Distribution

    Venezuela: Federal District: Steyermark & Farinas 97583 (1300-1500 m) (VEN). British Guiana: Essequibo: basin of the Pomeroon River, Forest Dept. 2270. Surinam: near Republiek (in savanna forest), Lindeman sn (1953) (U). French Guiana: Itany et Marouini: Service Forestier 7930 (U). Brazil: Para: Pires & Black 38 (COL); Pires 8124 (RB); near Belem, Ducke sn (Mus. Nac. Rio 54445) (estrada do Inst. Agr. Norte) (R), sn (Mus. Nac. Rio 54446) (estrada do Maguari) (R); Prance & Penna 2092; Oliveira 316

    Venezuela South America| Guyana South America| Suriname South America| French Guiana South America| Brazil South America|