Siparuna thecaphora and Siparuna eggersii Hieron., are very close morphologically, and it can be hard to distinguish them. However, the two species co-occur in western Ecuador without apparently losing their distinctness and so are maintained here as distinct[].

Common Name:

General Information

Siparuna thecaphora is an evergreen shrub that can grow from 1- - 12 metres tall with a bole up to 10cm in diameter. Occasionally it becomes a tree up to 20 metres tall with a bole of up to 20cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
Siparuna thecaphora has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major
threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northwest Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela; C. America - Panama, north to Guatemala, southern and central Mexico

Habitat

Primary and secondary forests, growing in open thickets near streams and in forest understory; at elevations from sea-level to 2,500 metres[]. Cloud forest and humid tropical forests at lower elevations, also in oak forest and pine-oak forest[]

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Gall midges
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

All parts of the plant are aromatic. The fruits have a strong smell of lemons[].
Plants can flower and produce fruit all year round[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are brewed to prepare a tea against respiratory ailments[]. The use of leaf extracts against female sterility is reported[]. Leaf extracts are used to prevent miscarriages[].
Young leafy branches are used to fan or touch sick people to treat 'malviento', or 'malaire' (malaria side effects)[].
Alternatively, the leaves and fruits are boiled in water, which is then drunk against malaria symptoms, colics, and diarrhea[].

The leaves and fruits are crushed and rubbed directly on to the face and head to alleviate headaches and fevers[].

The bark is applied to snake bites until the pain stops[]. Small pieces of bark are heated and applied directly to treat herpes sores or insect bites[].

The plant contains various alkaloids, especially especially aporphines, and particularly liriodenine. Liriodenine has been shown to act as a sedative on the central nervous system[].
Crude leaf extracts have been shown to possess antiplasmodial activity[].
An experimental study has confirmed that extracts of the plant have a moderate neutralizing ability against the haemorrhagic effects of Bothropsatroxvenom[].

Other Uses

The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: Type the digit seven into the box