V ALERIANACEAE 
Valeriana longifolia Humboldt, Bonpland et Kunth, Nov. Gen. 
et Sp. 3 (1819) 330. 
CoLomBiA: Departamento de Cundinamarca. Pantano Redondo, Zipaquira, 
3200-3250 m. July 13, 1960. R. E. Schultes 22468. 
A tea prepared from the leaves of Valeriana longifolia is 
commonly used in the region of Zipaquira as a kind of a panacea 
in folk medicine. It is especially valued as a stimulant for aged 
people. 
An alkaloid —a derivative of actinidine —is reported from a 
species of Valeriana; tannins have also been indicated (Gibbs: loc. 
cit. 2 (1974) 1268; Raffauf: loc. cit. (1970) ). 
CUCURBITACEAE 
Cayaponia glandulosa (Poepp. et Endl.) Cogniaux in De 
Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 3 (1881) 755. 
CoLomsBIA: Comisaria del Amazonas, Rio Amazonas, Trapécio Amazonico. 
January 28-February 7, 1969. T. Plowman, T. Lockwood, H. Kennedy et R. E. 
Schultes 2369. 
The leaves and young stems of this vine are dried and 
pulverized and employed in hammocks and cloths as an insect 
repellent. The fruit is chopped up, boiled in water and the 
resulting infusion is taken in the Leticia area for “liver 
complaints.” 
The vine is very abundant, forming great tangles on the 
riverside vegetation. 
No active organic principle is known from this genus. 
Cayaponia sp. 
Stems of this species of Cayaponia are reportedly burned, and 
amongst the Kofan Indians the ashes are applied to external 
sores. The Kofan name of this vine is chorok-o-pi-sehe ‘-pa (H. V. 
Pinkley 222, cited in Pinkley: loc. cit.). 
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