Varronia multispicata
(Cham.) Borhidi
Boraginaceae
Cordia bahiensis DC.
Cordia multispicata Cham.
Lithocardium multispicatum Kuntze
Varronia bahiensis (DC.) Borhidi
Common Name: Maria Preta
General Information
Varronia multispicata is a much-branched, wide-spreading shrub in open ground, usually growing up to 2.5 metres tall and more wide. In secondary forest it sometimes adopts a scrambling habit, growing up to 5 - 6 metres tall into the surrounding vegetation[
699- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 16
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rehder A. (Editor)
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University: Boston.
- Year
- 1935
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A botanical journal containing several interesting articles including one on the Boraginaceae of Amazonia.
].
The plant has been cultivated since pre-Columbian times for its medicinal virtues[
]. It is a natural pioneer species, establishing in open places and providing a suitable habitat for rainforest trees to become established.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
699- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 16
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rehder A. (Editor)
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University: Boston.
- Year
- 1935
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A botanical journal containing several interesting articles including one on the Boraginaceae of Amazonia.
Range
S. America - central and northeast Brazil, Guyana
Habitat
Abandoned pastures and other open spaces, secondary vegetation[
1908- Title
- The role of the shrub Cordia multispicata Cham. as a 'succession facilitator'
in an abandoned pasture, Paragominas,
- Publication
- Plant Ecology 115(2):91-99, 1994
- Author
- Vieira I.C.G.; Uhl C. & Nepstad D.C.
- Website
- http://10.1007/BF00044863
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 2.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in a sunny position, growing well on nutrient-depleted soils[
1908- Title
- The role of the shrub Cordia multispicata Cham. as a 'succession facilitator'
in an abandoned pasture, Paragominas,
- Publication
- Plant Ecology 115(2):91-99, 1994
- Author
- Vieira I.C.G.; Uhl C. & Nepstad D.C.
- Website
- http://10.1007/BF00044863
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant responds well to coppicing and can survive forest fires by resprouting from the roots[
1908- Title
- The role of the shrub Cordia multispicata Cham. as a 'succession facilitator'
in an abandoned pasture, Paragominas,
- Publication
- Plant Ecology 115(2):91-99, 1994
- Author
- Vieira I.C.G.; Uhl C. & Nepstad D.C.
- Website
- http://10.1007/BF00044863
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Edible Uses
The red, fleshy, conical fruits are around 4.8mm long and 3.5mm wide.
Although we have seen no specific information for this species, the fruits of most Cordia (Varronia) species are comprised of a thin to fairly thick layer of pulpy, sweetish-tasting flesh surrounding a single seed and are more or less edible[
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.
,
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.
], (though some are known to cause gastric disturbances).
Medicinal
An infusion of the leaves is taken as a tonic[
739- Title
- Medicinal Plants of Brazil
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mors W.B.; Rizzini C.T.; Pereira N.A.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications; Michigan.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-917256-42-5
- Description
- An extremely concise book, listing approximately 1,500 species and varieties of plants with their botanical name, common name in Brazil, regions in Brazil where the plant is found, a brief list of uses and any medically active compounds in the plant.
]. They are also used in the treatment of grippe, bronchitis and prolonged cough[
739- Title
- Medicinal Plants of Brazil
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mors W.B.; Rizzini C.T.; Pereira N.A.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications; Michigan.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-917256-42-5
- Description
- An extremely concise book, listing approximately 1,500 species and varieties of plants with their botanical name, common name in Brazil, regions in Brazil where the plant is found, a brief list of uses and any medically active compounds in the plant.
].
The leaves and aerial parts are used in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and rickets[
583- Title
- Medicinal and poisonous diversity of the flora of 'Cariri Paraibano', Brazil.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Agra M.F. Et al
- Website
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.12.007
- Publisher
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology
- Year
- 2007
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An article from the Journal of Ethnopharmacy, available as a PDF document on the Internet. Brief details of some medicinal plants from an area of Brazil.
].
Agroforestry Uses:
Varronia multispicata is a natural pioneer species. It is a common shrub that invades open ground throughout Amazonia, often being found in abandoned pasture where it grows quickly and provides suitable conditions for the establishment of other rainforest trees and shrubs[
1908- Title
- The role of the shrub Cordia multispicata Cham. as a 'succession facilitator'
in an abandoned pasture, Paragominas,
- Publication
- Plant Ecology 115(2):91-99, 1994
- Author
- Vieira I.C.G.; Uhl C. & Nepstad D.C.
- Website
- http://10.1007/BF00044863
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]..
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
