Virola | |
---|---|
Canopy of Virola koschnyi | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Magnoliids |
Order: | Magnoliales |
Family: | Myristicaceae |
Genus: | Virola Aubl. (1775) |
Species[1] | |
71; see text |
Virola is a genus of flowering plants in the nutmeg family, Myristicaceae. It includes medium-sized trees native to rainforests of the tropical Americas, ranging from southern Mexico to Bolivia and southern Brazil.[1] Species are known commonly as epená, patricá, or cumala. They have glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of tiny yellow flowers, and may emit a pungent odor.
Several species of this genus have been used to create hallucinogenic snuff powders.[2]
The tops of Virola oleifera have been shown to produce lignan-7-ols and verrucosin that have antifungal action regarding Cladosporium sphaerospermum in doses as low as 25 micrograms. Lignan-7-ols oleiferin-B and oleiferin-G worked for Cladosporium cladosporioides starting as low as 10 micrograms.[3]
71 species are accepted.[1]
Except for ornamental purposes, growing, selling or possessing Virola spp. is prohibited by Louisiana State Act 159.