Strychnos peckii B.L.Rob.

  • 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 peckii B.L.Rob.

  • Description

    Species Description - Mature fruits globose, large, the largest examined 7 cm in diam; shell very thick, about 5 mm thick, dull, reticulate-marked, rugose and usually warty; testa crustaceous; seeds many, more or less discoid, about 25 mm long and 18 mm broad; fruit-pedicels up to 20 mm in diam (Tillett et al. 45051 and others). Mature fruits are sufficient for identification of this species.

  • Discussion

    Local name: Poyanchi iluchi (Quichua, Ecuador). This is the first record of the species for Panama, Surinam, Mato Grosso (Brazil), and Antioquia, Bolivar and Nariño (Colombia). A bush-rope which is found in various habitats, S. peckii reaches giant dimensions on terra firme and is smaller when found on immediate shores of creeks and small rivers. Manuel Olalla states on the label of his specimen: “used in curare.” On the labels of Fuller 81 and 100 is stated: “bark is used in curare.” Pinkley reports that this species is used in curare of Kofán Indians who live on the tributaries bordering Ecuador and Colombia on the eastern side of the Andes at an altitude of 800-1000 ft. Prance 4802 is a voucher for a sample of root bark sent to Prof. Marini-Bettolo for chemical studies.

  • Distribution

    British Honduras: Toledo district: Gentle 4362 (LL) (fl. Mar); Stan Creek district: Gentle 7935 (LL), 9306 (LL). Colombia: Antioquia: San Luis, alt 1115 m, Romero-Castaneda 1548 (COL); Bolívar: Ayapel, Romero-Castaneda 1676 (COL); Nariño: Tumaco, near Salahonda, Romero-Castaneda 5250 (COL), 5291 (COL), 5293 (COL); Amazonas: vicinity of Leticia, Schultes et al. 24031 (ECON); Vaupes: (Orilla del Rio Orinoco, cerca de Amanaven), Romero-Castaneda 1264 (COL); Rio Apaporis (entre los rios Kananari y

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