Fabaceae FAMILY

Lonchocarpus chrysophyllus

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

The plant contains rotenone and has been used traditionally as a fish poison[ 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. ] - the rotenone kills or stuns the fish making them easy to catch, but the fish remain perfectly edible for mammals. Rotenone is classified by the World Health Organization as moderately hazardous. It is mildly toxic to humans and other mammals, but extremely toxic to many insects (hence its use as an insecticide) and aquatic life, including fish. This higher toxicity in fish and insects is because the lipophilic rotenone is easily taken up through the gills or trachea, but not as easily through the skin or the gastrointestinal tract. The lowest lethal dose for a child is 143 mg/kg, but human deaths from rotenone poisoning are rare because its irritating action causes vomiting. Deliberate ingestion of rotenone, however, can be fatal. The compound decomposes when exposed to sunlight and usually has an activity of six days in the environment.

Botanical Description

Lonchocarpus chrysophyllus is a vigorous climbing shrub with woody stems that twine high into the surrounding vegetation[ 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. , 1420 Title Rotenone-Yielding Plants of South America Publication American Journal of Botany 24 (9) 573-587 1937 Author Krukoff B.A. & Smith A.C. Publisher Year 1937 ISBN Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It has potential for use as a commercial source of the insecticide rotenone.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeNorthern S. America - Surinam, Guyana

HabitatMarshy creek forest[ 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. ]. Pockets of forests on the borders of savannahs[ 1420 Title Rotenone-Yielding Plants of South America Publication American Journal of Botany 24 (9) 573-587 1937 Author Krukoff B.A. & Smith A.C. Publisher Year 1937 ISBN Description ].