diseases. A highly toxic vermifugal constituent has been found in 
the seeds of Caraipa (Freise, F. W.: Apoth. Zeit. 44 (1929) 1481). 
Xanthones are abundant in the family (Gibbs: loc. cit. 3 (1974) 
1388). 
Symphonia globulifera Linnaeus filius, Suppl. (1781) 302. 
CoLoMBIA: Comisaria del Amazonas, Rio Apaporis, Soratama. “Flowers red. 
Height 75 feet.” December 14, 1951. R. E. Schultes et I. Cabrera 14904. 
The bark of this tree, souce of a very useful resinous latex, is 
said by the Indians of the middle Rio Apaporis to be very 
effective, when burned to ashes and applied to recalcitrant ulcers 
of the abdomen and legs, in rapidly drying the infection. 
Vismia ferruginea Humboldt, Bonpland et Kunth, Nov. Gen. et 
Sp. 5 (1821) 141. 
BRAZIL: Estado do Amazonas, Manaos, Flores. “Flowers greenish white. 
Common bush in scrub growth.” July 5-August 12, 1967. R. E. Schultes 24594 
(Alpha-Helix Amazon Expedition 1967). 
The resinous exudate of this bush is commonly applied in the 
region of Manaos to sores of the skin . 
An unidentified alkaloid has been reported from Vismia 
robusta (Willaman, J. J. and B. G. Schubert: A/kaloid-bearing 
Plants and their Contained Alkaloids, Techn. Bull. U.S.D.A. 
No. 1234 (1961) 91). Nothing else is known of the chemistry of 
Vismia which might explain the folk use in treating skin sores. 
FLACOURTIACEAE 
Banara guianensis Aub/et, Hist. Pl. Guian. Frang., 2 (1775) 548. 
CoLoMBIA: Comisaria del Vaupés, Rio Vaupés, Mitu and vicinity. “Bushy 
tree, common on river bank. Flowers green-yellow.” September 27—October 20, 
1966. R. E. Schultes, R. F. Raffauf et D. Soejarto 24176. 
A spot test with Dragendorff reagent gave a doubtful positive 
result for alkaloids. 
Sundry species of Ryania are recognized in South America as 
poisonous. The toxicity is due presumably to a glycoside (Merz, 
K. W.: Arch. Pharm. 268 (1930) 592; Nakarai, S. et T. Sano: 
Arch. Pharm. 272 (1934) 1). 
26 
