Common Name:

General Information

Brunfelsia mire is an unbranched, evergreen shrub or small tree, usually growing up to 1 metre tall, occasionally to 2 metres[].
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[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador.

Habitat

An understorey plant growing in deep shade in humid, often swampy forests; mainly at elevations from 400 - 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.00 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[]. Prefers a loamy, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil[]. 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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used to expel cutaneous parasites and to 'paralyze the voluntary muscles as in an alcoholic intoxication'. It is boiled to extract the drug, a process which apparently does not injure the active constituents. It produces a profuse sweating, which is capable of destroying all cutaneous parasites but gives no disturbance to the senses or intellect[].

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[].
Layering[].

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