species in the Antilles, bears an astringent fruit which has been 
used as a tonic to cure chronic diarrhea and stomach problems 
(Descourtilz, 1833; Duss, 1897; Manfred, 1947). In the island of 
Dominica, it is called empoisonneur and is employed as a 
poison by the Island Caribs (Hodge & Taylor, 1957). Traces of 
cyanide have been found in the leaves and flowers as well as in 
the bark of the stem and root (Quisumbing, 1951). Chlorogenic 
acid is reported from the leaves (Politis, 1948). 
Scott and colleagues (1957) tested the leaf and stem of B. 
americana for alkaloids. They found two products: one a cry- 
stalline substance which melted at 125-130°; the other con- 
sisted of long needles which melted at 218-220°. They obtained 
positive alkaloid tests for both products but did no further work 
on the plant. 
Brunfelsia nitida Benth., a widely cultivated Cuban species, 
is used for herbal baths (Roig & Mesa, 1945). The fruits of this 
species were found to be strongly alkaloid-positive (Aleman 
Frias, 1972). Unnamed alkaloids have also been detected in the 
stems of B. undulata Sw., a Jamaican species (Willaman & 
Schubert, 1961); Willamam & Li, 1970), and in the leaves and 
fruits of B. Shaferi Britt. & Wils., a Cuban endemic (Aleman 
Frias, 1972). 
In conclusion, the need for modern detailed studies on the 
pharmacology and chemistry of Brunfelsia cannot be overem- 
phasized. I have outlined here what is known about the folk 
uses and pharmacology of the species known to be active. 
However, the entire genus merits intensive investigation to 
isolate and identify its alkaloidal and other constituents, which 
have eluded chemists for so long. The possible value of certain 
species in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism is espe- 
cially important and worthy of detailed study using modern 
methods. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
Research reported in this paper was supported in part by the 
National Institutes of Health Training Grant (T T01 GM 
00036-13) and by the National Science Foundation Evolution- 
ary Biology Training Grant (GB 7346, Reed Rollins, Principal 
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