Brunfelsia guianensis
Benth.
Solanaceae
Common Name:
General Information
Brunfelsia guianensis is an evergreen shrub to small tree with lax, spreading branches; it usually grows 1 - 3 metres tall, occasionally reaching 5 metres[
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
,
929- Title
- A Revision of the South American Species of Brunfelsia (Solanaceae)
- Publication
- Fieldiana Botany New Series No. 39
- Author
- Plowman T.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0015-0746
- Description
- A botanical journal, this edition is devoted entirely to the revision of the genus Brunfelsia in S. America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
Known Hazards
Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most plants in the family Solanaceae also contain poisonous alkaloids. Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Botanical References
929- Title
- A Revision of the South American Species of Brunfelsia (Solanaceae)
- Publication
- Fieldiana Botany New Series No. 39
- Author
- Plowman T.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0015-0746
- Description
- A botanical journal, this edition is devoted entirely to the revision of the genus Brunfelsia in S. America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
S. America - northern Brazil, the Guyanas.
Habitat
An understorey shrub in dense rain forests and in the more open secondary formations; growing at low elevations[
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
,
929- Title
- A Revision of the South American Species of Brunfelsia (Solanaceae)
- Publication
- Fieldiana Botany New Series No. 39
- Author
- Plowman T.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0015-0746
- Description
- A botanical journal, this edition is devoted entirely to the revision of the genus Brunfelsia in S. America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 2.50 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Grows best in a position with partial shade - when growing in full sun the foliage may scorch and drop[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers a loamy, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Many species in this genus grow wild in alkaline soils and, in non-alkaline soils, all members of the genus can benefit from the addition of some ground limestone[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The root is antisyphilitic, antirheumatic and depurative. In larger doses it is poisonous[
563- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 25
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Botanical Museum; Massachusetts.
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains an article on medicinal and poisonous plants in the Amazon. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The root is used in local medicine under the name manaca, with properties similar to those of Brunfelsia uniflora[
929- Title
- A Revision of the South American Species of Brunfelsia (Solanaceae)
- Publication
- Fieldiana Botany New Series No. 39
- Author
- Plowman T.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0015-0746
- Description
- A botanical journal, this edition is devoted entirely to the revision of the genus Brunfelsia in S. America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. These properties are as follows:-
The dried root is considered to be abortifacient, alterative, topical anaesthetic, antirheumatic, blood cleanser, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, laxative, narcotic, purgative and is said to stimulate the lymphatic system[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
318- Title
- Raintree Nutrition - Tropical Plant Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.rain-tree.com/plants.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Detailed information on the medicinal uses of more than two hundred rainforest plants, mainly from S. America, with basic descriptions of the plants, their other uses etc.
]. It is used in the treatment of arthritis, scrofula, rheumatism and syphilis[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. In Brazil, the whole plant is used[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].
Traditionally, the root is prepared into a tincture with alcohol for the treatment of rheumatism and venereal disease[
318- Title
- Raintree Nutrition - Tropical Plant Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.rain-tree.com/plants.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Detailed information on the medicinal uses of more than two hundred rainforest plants, mainly from S. America, with basic descriptions of the plants, their other uses etc.
,
563- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 25
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Botanical Museum; Massachusetts.
- Year
- 1977
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains an article on medicinal and poisonous plants in the Amazon. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. A decoction of the root is used to treat chills, adult fevers, arthritis and rheumatism, back pain, common colds, bronchitis, lung disease and tuberculosis and snakebite, whilst it is also used as an enema for treating kidney disorders and ulcers[
318- Title
- Raintree Nutrition - Tropical Plant Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.rain-tree.com/plants.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Detailed information on the medicinal uses of more than two hundred rainforest plants, mainly from S. America, with basic descriptions of the plants, their other uses etc.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - it has a short period of viability and does not tolerate dessication. Sown fresh, it germinates within 2 - 4 weeks[
929- Title
- A Revision of the South American Species of Brunfelsia (Solanaceae)
- Publication
- Fieldiana Botany New Series No. 39
- Author
- Plowman T.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0015-0746
- Description
- A botanical journal, this edition is devoted entirely to the revision of the genus Brunfelsia in S. America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Layering[
929- Title
- A Revision of the South American Species of Brunfelsia (Solanaceae)
- Publication
- Fieldiana Botany New Series No. 39
- Author
- Plowman T.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0015-0746
- Description
- A botanical journal, this edition is devoted entirely to the revision of the genus Brunfelsia in S. America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
