Virola is a genus of in the nutmeg family, Myristicaceae. It includes medium-sized native to rainforests of the tropical Americas, ranging from southern Mexico to Bolivia and southern Brazil.[ Species are known commonly as epená, patricá, or cumala. They have glossy, dark green Leaf and clusters of tiny yellow , and may emit a pungent odor.
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Traditional use
Several species of this genus have been used to create hallucinogenic snuff powders.[Torres, C. M., et al. (1991). "Snuff powders from pre-Hispanic San Pedro de Atacama: Chemical and contextual analysis". Current Anthropology, 640–649. ]
Chemical constituents
The tops of Virola oleifera have been shown to produce lignan-7-ols and verrucosin that have antifungal action regarding Cladosporium sphaerospermum in doses as low as 25 micrograms. Lignan-7-ols oleiferin-B and oleiferin-G worked for Cladosporium cladosporioides starting as low as 10 micrograms.[Sartorelli, P.; Young, M.C.M.; Kato, M.J., "Antifungal lignans from the arils of Virola oleifera". Phytochemistry-Oxford. Oxford : Elsevier Science Ltd. March 1998. v. 47 (6) p. 1003–1006.]
Species
71 species are accepted.[
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Gallery
File:Virola elongata fruit.jpg| Virola elongata fruit
File:Virola elongata seeds.jpg| Virola elongata seeds
File:Virola carinata embryo.jpg| Virola carinata embryo
File:Virola sebifera.jpg| Virola sebifera
File:Virola surinamensis 2.jpg| Virola surinamensis
Legal status
United States
Louisiana
Except for ornamental plant purposes, growing, selling or possessing Virola spp. is prohibited by Louisiana State Act 159.
See also
Notes
General references
External links
