SAPINDACEAE 
Paullinia emetica R. E. Schultes in Caldasia 2 (1944) 419. 
COLOMBIA: Comisaria del Vaupés, Upper Rio Apaporis basin, Rio Macaya, 
Cachivera del Diablo. Alt. 350 m. ‘‘Vine on riverside vegetation. Used by 
Karijonas (former inhabitants) as an emetic: an infusion of the leaves.’’ May 
22, 1943. R. E. Schultes 5511. 
The Karijona Indians, who formerly lived in the headwaters of 
the Apaporis but remnants of whom now live in Miraflores on 
the Rio Vaupés, state that the leaves of this vine were formerly 
made into a tea for use as a strong emetic. 
CARYOCARACEAE 
Anthodiscus obovatus Bentham ex Wittmack in Martius, FI. 
Bras. 12, Pt. 1 (1886) 358. 
BRAZIL: Estado do Amazonas, Upper Rio Negro basin, Rio Xié, Cachoeira 
Cumati. ‘‘Small tree. Flowers yellow.’” November 29 — December 7, 1947. 
R. E. Schultes et F. Lopez 9226. 
The leaves of this small tree are often employed, crushed and 
thrown into still water, as a minor fish poison. 
Anthodiscus peruanus Baillon in Adansonia 10 (1872) 241. 
COLOMBIA: Comisaria del Vaupés, Rio Negro, at confluence of Rios Guainia 
and Casiquiare, Cano Ducuruapo (Igarapé Rana). In caatinga. “‘Tree about 
35-40 feet high; diameter 18 inches. Wood hard, white. Bark shaggy, dark 
brown. Flowers bright yellow. Leaves very glossy, light green.’” December 
13-17, 1947. R. E. Schultes et F. Lépez 9387. Rio Apaporis, Jinogoje (at 
mouth of Rio Piraparana) and vicinity. Alt. about 700 feet. ‘‘On high knoll. 
Enormous tree, 90 ft. tall. Flowers yellow. Bark white. Tanimuka = ftee-fe- 
roo-ka; Makuna = ko-men-tan-go; Maku = chee-aw’’. June 8, 1952. R. E. 
Schultes et I. Cabrera 16623. 
In both the Rio Guainia and the Rio Apaporis, this tree is 
valued as a minor fish poison. The Kuripako Indians of the 
Guainia and the Makunas of the middle Apaporis crush the 
leaves and young branches with a rather liquid clay-mud to cast 
into still water. Its action is fast but not long-lasting. Nothing is 
known of the possible chemical constituents responsible for the 
piscicidal activities of Anthodiscus obovatus and A. peruanus. 
119 
