GENTIANACEAE 
Chelonanthus alatus (4ub/.) Pulle Enum. Vase. 
Pl. Surinam (1906) 876. 
Mexico: Estado de Oaxaca, Distrito de Cuicatlan, between San 
Juan Zautla and Teutila. June 30, 1989. R. FE. Schultes 731.— Distrito 
de Choapam, San Juan Lalana, May 8, 1939. R.E. Schultes et B.P. 
Reko 7805. 
Cotombia: Comisaria del Amazonas, Rio Karaparand, between the 
mouth and El Encanto. May 22-28, 1942. R.E. Schultes 3805.— 
Comisaria del Vaupés, Rio Vaupes, Mitiand vicinity. September 27- 
October 20, 1966, R.E. Schultes, R.F. Raffauf et D. Soejarto 24246a 
Schultes, Raffauf et Soejarto 24346, 
Peru: Departamento de Loreto, Rio Napo, Negro Ureo. August 
16, 1966. R.T. Martin et C.A. Lau-Cam 1286. 
1290. 
Martin et Lau-Cam 
The Chinantecs in the Districts of Choapam, Ixtlin 
and Cuicatlin, Oaxaca, state that the root of Chelonan- 
thus alatus is bitter and is used in decoction as a febri- 
fuge, for cramps and indigestion, and to treat sores in 
the mouth. It has uses similar to those of Lisianthus 
migzrescens reported below. Applications based on its 
bitter principles are recorded from French Guiana 
(Heckel, KE. ‘‘Les plantes médicinales et toxiques de la 
Guyane Frangaise’* (1897) 57). Aublet, who described 
the concept, reported its employment in folk medicine 
in French Guiana as early as 1775 (Aublet, J.B.C.F. 
‘*Histoire des plantes de la Guiane Francaise’ 1 (1775) 
205), stating: ‘‘The whole plant is bitter. It is used to 
treat obstructions, and | have employed it for this pur- 
pose with success”’. 
The Witoto Indians of Amazonian Colombia, who 
refer to the plant as ho-/0-so-gi-né, dry and pulverize the 
leaves and flowers for powdering clothing and bedding 
to ward off insects. 
Kield spot tests on fresh material in Colombia have 
indicated that no alkaloids are present in the plant. 
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