Abuta

Genus of flowering plants From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Abuta is a genus in the flowering plant family Menispermaceae, of about 32 species, native to tropical Central and South America.

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Abuta
Abuta selloana: Illustrations A-F from A. Engler, Das Pflanzenreich 46
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Menispermaceae
Genus: Abuta
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Species

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Description

The genus consists of dioecious climbers or rarely erect trees or shrubs (Abuta grandifolia) with simple leaves. The flowers are in composed panicles. Male flowers have six sepals, in two whorls, no petals , six stamens (which are connate or free, and introrse), and anthers with a longitudinal or transverse dehiscence. Female flowers have sepals and petals as in the male, six staminodes, three carpels, ovoid drupes, a woody endocarp, a septiform condyle, a ruminate endosperm, a curved embryo, and appressed cotyledons. It inhabits tropical rain forests.

Taxonomy

Abuta is usually classified in the tribe Anomospermeae Miers, together with Anomospermum Miers.

Synonymy

The genera Anelasma Miers and Batschia Thunb. have been brought into synonymy with Abuta.

Uses

Abuta is one of the components of the arrow poison curare of some indigenous tribes of South America (especially Abuta imene from Colombia). Roots of Abuta rufescens are used as medicinal in diseases of the urogenital tract, but it is dangerous.[1]

Species

Species accepted by Plants of the World Online as of March 2024:[2]

References

Further reading

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