Abuta is a genus in the flowering plant family Menispermaceae, with thirty-four species, native to tropical Central and South America.
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.
Species Species accepted by Plants of the World Online as of March 2024:
Abuta acutifolia Abuta alto-macahensis Abuta antioquiana Abuta aristeguietae Abuta barbata Abuta brevifolia Abuta bullata Abuta candollei Abuta chiapasensis Abuta chocoensis Abuta colombiana Abuta dwyeriana Abuta fluminum Abuta grandifolia Abuta grisebachii Abuta imene Abuta longa Abuta mycetandra Abuta obovata Abuta pahni Abuta panamensis Abuta panurensis Abuta platyphylla Abuta racemosa Abuta rufescens Abuta sandwithiana Abuta seemannii Abuta selloana Abuta solimoesensis Abuta soukupii Abuta spicata Abuta steyermarkii Abuta vaupesensis Abuta velutina
References
Further reading [monographic revision of the genus] [taxonomic partial revision]
External links Images of Abuta panamensis from La Flora Digital de La Selva, Costa Rica