Boraginaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Varronia polycephala

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

The macerated leaves are used as a fish poison[ 348 Title Medicinal Plants of the Guianas Publication Author DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J. Website http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html Publisher Smithsonian Museum Year 0 ISBN Description A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region ].

Botanical Description

Varronia polycephala is a slender shrub growing 1 - 5 metres tall. The plant sometimes adopts a more climbing habit[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. , 699 Title Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 16 Publication Author Rehder A. (Editor) Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Harvard University: Boston. Year 1935 ISBN Description A botanical journal containing several interesting articles including one on the Boraginaceae of Amazonia. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and tooth cleaner. Varronia polycephala is widespread and well represented within protected areas. No major threats are known to be present. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2014)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; Caribbean.

HabitatMarsh forests along creeks and rivers near the coast, also in primary and secondary rainforests on bauxite soils[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. ].