Lonchocarpus nicou

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Lonchocarpus nicou

• Alana Marchand

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Basic Information

• Family Fabaceae
• Subfamily Faboideae
• Genus Lonchocarpus kunth - Lancepod
• Common Name Barbasco
• Dicot
• Approximately 150 Species.
• A Viny, evergreen shrub.

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Origin

• Most Commonly found in Tropical America.(Puerto
  Rico, Peru and Brazil) Found in Evergreen
  Rainforests.

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Economic Significance

• The Most Common use is for Fish Poison. The roots
  of the plants encase a sap that contains
  Retenones. Theses are chemicals that arer only
  harmful to cold blooded creatures and when used,
  hinder the ability for the creatures to consume
  oxygen.
• Some forms of Barbasco, commonly known as wild
  Mexican yam, have been used for women to treat
  PMS symptoms.

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• Two men are seen at dawn, beating pounds of
  barbasco (any of a variety of plant roots that is
  used asa fish poison) while another man dips a
  basketfull of barbasco in a river, slowly turning
  the water a milky white.

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Agricultural Significance

• The South American rotenone-bearing, plant is not
  known now from the wild. Nowadays, Lonchocarpus
  is cultivated by hand labor in tropical regions
  of Brazil and Peru. In the Far East, particularly
  in Java and Sumatra, a closely related legume,
  Derris elliptica, which also contains rotenone,
  was used as an arrow poison. Derris, which has
  been grown commercially in Puerto Rico, has lower
  yields of rotenone than does Lonchocarpus.
  Rotenone also occurs in the legume genus
  Tephrosia.

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Diseases

• Rust Disease. Caused by specific fungi
• and appears as raised, round rust coloured
  spots on the underside of leaves.
• Rust can affect a variety of plants including
  fuchsias, roses, chrysanthemums, garlic, onions,
  leeks and broad beans.
• Hygiene is the best way to prevent rust - ensure
  all fallen leaves are removed from the top of the
  soil before they begin to decompose. Prune the
  plants to ensure a free circulation of air,
  especially at the centre. Remove and burn all
  infected leaves from the plant.

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Effects on Humans

• Dermatitis Inflammation of the Skin
• Conjunctivitis Pink Eye
• Rhinitis Inflamation in and around the nose.
  Can also be associated with inflammation of the
  eyes and throat.

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• QUESTIONS?