This small tree, known throughout eastern Colombia 
as soliman, is believed by the Indians to ‘‘poison”’ other 
plants. It is found usually in colonies of up to twenty 
individuals in the forest, and invariably nothing grows 
underneath the tree, except perhaps Selaginella (see 
photograph, Plate XN VIII, lower figure, in Bot. Mus. 
Leafl., Harvard Univ. 15 (1951) ). The natives explain 
this curious ecological phenomenon of the absence of 
vegetation by saying that the roots of Duroita hirsuta 
‘“*poison’’ the other plants. The real reason may be con- 
nected with the presence in Duroia hirsuta of swollen 
internodes which are always inhabited by ants. 
Duroia kotchubaeoides Steyermark in Mem. N.Y. 
Bot. Gard. 12 (1965) 201. 
Co.ompia: Comisaria del Vaupés, Rio Guainia, Puerto Colombia 
(opposite Venezuelan town of Maroa) and vicinity. Alt. about 800- 
850 ft. “"Small tree. Flowers:white.*’ October 31—November 2, 1952. 
R.E. Schultes, R.E.D. Baker et I. Cabrera 18211. 
Amongst the inhabitants of the Rio Guainia, the seeds 
of Duroia hotchubacoides are held to be poisonous when 
saten. 
Schultes, Baker et Cabrera 18211 is the type collection 
of this curious species. It is known only from one other 
collection made from the upper Orinoco in Venezuela. 
The species appears to be a restricted endemic. 
Duroia petiolaris (Spr. ) Hooker fil. ex K.Schumann 
in Martius Fl. Bras. 6, pt. 6 (1889) 364. 
CoLomaia : Comisaria del Amazonas, Trapecio Amazonico, Rio Lore- 
toyacu. Alt. about 100 m. “‘Bush. Flowers white.’’ October, 1945. 
R.E. Schultes 6727.—November 2, 1946. G.A. Black et RE. Schultes 
46-295. 
The Tikuna Indians and the Brazilian rubber tappers 
of the Trapecio Amazénico assert that the seeds of this 
bush or small tree are extremely dangerous when eaten. 
[ 154 ] 
