The Kamsa Indians of Sibundoy employed the roots of Rumex 
obtusifolius in decoction as a strong laxative. 
The roots contain 1,8-dihydroxynaphthaline (Hesse, O.: 
Ann. Chem. 305 (1896)291). 
MENISPERMACEAE 
Curarea tecunarum Barneby et Krukoff in Mem. N.Y. Bot. 
Gard. 22(2)1971)12. 
BRAZIL: Estado do Amazonas, Rio Cunhua, Deni Indian village. November 
28, 1971. G.T. Prance, R.J.M. Maas, D. Woolcott et al. 16453. 
CoLoMBIA: Comisaria del Putumayo, Rio Guamiles, Salvador. ‘‘ Arrow 
poison” August - September 1963. C. Naranjo et G. Wiederhold 
16. — Comisaria del Vaupes, Rio Macaya, vicinity of Cachivera 
del Diablo. ‘‘Said to have been used formerly by Karijona In- 
dians in arrow poisons. Vine. Fruits yellow, very bitter.’’ May 
1943. R.E. Schultes 5526. — Rio Macu-Parana, lowland forest. 
‘Root scrapings are used in preparing arrow poison mixture by 
Bara-Maku. Awa-puh’ (species of monkey root). June 1-8, 1970. 
P. Silverwood - Cope 23. 
Curarea tecunarum is well recognized as one of the principal 
sources of an especially strong curare in the northwestern 
Amazon. Its use as a contraceptive, however, is not widely 
known. According to Prance, Maas, Woolcott et al. 16453, the 
stem is crushed and placed in water, stirred and taken as a 
contraceptive by the Deni Indians. 
Telitoxicum peruvianum Moldenke in Brittonia 3(1938)45. 
CoLomBIA: Comisaria del Vaupes, Rio Piraparana, Cano Teemeena, (Lobo 
Igarape). ‘‘Small tree. Fruit dark green. Barasana: bo-dé-mee- 
see’. September 10, 1952. R.E. Schultes et 1. Cabrera 17340. 
The Makuna Indians value Telitoxicum peruvianum as an 
important ingredient of the curare that formerly was prepared 
by medicine men of the Rio Piraparana. The Barasana believe 
that application of crushed leaves to ulcers and similar infec- 
tions aids in cleansing the wounds. 
ANNONACEAE 
Anaxagorea sp. 
EcuADorR: Napo, Rio Aguarico, Dureno. **Tree.’” December 12, 1955. H.V. 
228 
