Brunfelsia grandiflora

Brunfelsia grandiflora is a flowering shrub in the nightshade family. It is native to South America. In English is known by the common names royal purple brunfelsia, kiss-me-quick,[1] and yesterday-today-and-tomorrow.[2] In Peru it is known by the Spanish-Quechua name chiricsanango.[3]

Brunfelsia grandiflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Brunfelsia
Species:
B. grandiflora
Binomial name
Brunfelsia grandiflora

This shrub grows up to 10 feet tall by 8 feet wide. It has a dense foliage of alternately arranged leaves each up to 12 inches long. The fragrant flowers are white or shades of purple. They bloom nearly year-round.[2]

In its native range it is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, rheumatism, syphilis, and arthritis. It is one of the active plant additives contributing to the hallucinogenic effects of the South American drink ayahuasca. In laboratory tests, extracts of the plant were active against the protozoa that cause leishmaniasis, especially Leishmania major.[4]

Brunfelsia grandiflora is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant, such as for landscape design.[2]

References
  1. Cleversley, K. (2002). "Brunfelsia grandiflora – Manaca". Entheology.com – Plants. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  2. Gilman, E. F. Brunfelsia grandiflora. Document FPS77. Shrubs Fact Sheets. Florida Cooperative Extension Service. University of Florida, IFAS. Published 1999. Revised 2007.
  3. "Brunfelsia grandiflora". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  4. Fuchino, H., et al. (2008). A new leishmanicidal saponin from Brunfelsia grandiflora. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 56(1), 93-96.

Further reading
  • Polesna, L.; Polesny, Z.; Clavo, M. Z.; Hansson, A.; Kokoska, L. (2011). "Ethnopharmacological inventory of plants used in Coronel Portillo Province of Ucayali Department, Peru". Pharmaceutical Biology. 49 (2): 125–136. doi:10.3109/13880209.2010.504927. PMID 20942601.
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