Lonchocarpus urucu

Lonchocarpus urucu, or barbasco, is plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to the tropical forests of Peru, as well as of Brazil and Guyana, growing from 100–1,800 metres (330–5,910 ft) above sea level. It was also recorded in Venezuela.[1]

Lonchocarpus urucu
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Lonchocarpus
Species:
L. urucu
Binomial name
Lonchocarpus urucu
Killip & A.C.Smith

Cubé resin, the root extract from Barbasco and from cubé (Lonchocarpus utilis), is used as a commercial insecticide and piscicide (fish poison). The major active ingredients are rotenone and deguelin. Although "organic" (produced by nature), rotenone is no longer considered an environmentally safe chemical.

Taxonomic status

The taxonomic status as a species with the name Lonchocarpus urucu ist still to be resolved, as it is also considered a variety of Deguelia rufescens: Deguelia rufescens var. urucu (Killip & A.C.Sm.) A.M.G.Azeved.[2]

Other useful information

Barbasco is toxic to insects, fish, and other pests. The primary threat to humans and other mammals comes from inhaling the powdered root or root extract. It has been used by the Shuar people of Ecuador and the Nukak people of Colombia as a poison for fishing.[3]

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References
  1. "Lonchocarpus urucu". Tropical Species Database. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  2. The Plant List: Deguelia rufescens var. urucu (Killip & A.C.Sm.) A.M.G.Azeved is an unresolved name.
  3. Soto Laveaga, Gabriela (2009). Jungle Laboratories: Mexican peasants, National Projects and the Making of the Pill. Duke University. pp. 72–73.


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