Zanthoxylum coco
| Zanthoxylum coco | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Zanthoxylum |
| Species: | Z. coco
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| Binomial name | |
| Zanthoxylum coco | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Zanthoxylum coco(also known asFagara coco) is an evergreen tree of the familyRutaceae,native toArgentinaandBoliviawhere it grows in the wild, mostly in spiniferous forests of the low mountain ranges of the westernChaco.It is characteristic of the hill forest of theSierras Pampeanas.
Description
[edit]Thecoco,alsocochuchoorsmelly sauco,is usually found either in isolated groups or standing alone, from a small to medium-sized tree, ranging from 6 to 8 metres in height. The foliage is abundant,evergreenwithimparipinnateleaves that present paired spines presumably in the place of leaflets. Punctations, in pairs, on the leaflets are quite distinctive. Leaves have serrated margins and pinnate venation. Flowers have fivepetalsand are arranged inpaniculateinflorescences. The fruit is spherically shaped,dehiscent;containing a shiny blackish seed.[2] The whole plant has a characteristic unpleasant smell, hence the alternative name "smelly sauco".[3]
Biochemistry
[edit]Even though unused in the general botanical pharmacopeia,Zanthoxylum cocotissues are very rich inalkaloids.γ-Fagarine,N-methylisocorydine,skimminianine,α-fagarine,fagarine-2,magnoflorine,nitidine,chelerythrine,berberine,palmatineandcandicinehave been isolated from the foliage and wood.[4]
Taxon synonym usage
[edit]Thecocobelongs to the genusZanthoxylum.However, most local scientific articles useFagaraas the genus name.
References
[edit]- ^abZanthoxylum cocoGillies ex Hook. & Arn.Plants of the World Online.Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^Stucker, G.V.: (1930), Contribución al estudio del Fagara coco, Congreso Internacional de Biología, Montevideo, Oct. 1930.
- ^Fernández Rua, R.: (1933), El alcaloide de la corteza del Fagara coco: la fagaridina, Córdoba, folleto - 12 pp. y tablas.
- ^Boelcke, O.: (1989) Plantas vasculares de la Argentina - Bs.As., Ed. H. Sur, 2da. reimpresión, 171 - 369 pp.
- Hieronymus, G.: (1882), Plantae Diaphoricae Florae Argentinae - Bs. A.s, Ed. Kraft, 53 - 404 pp.
- Domínguez, J. A.: (1928), Contribuciones a la Materia Médica Argentina, Bs. As., Ed. Peuser, 95 - 433 pp.
- Stucker, G.V.: (1930), Contribución al estudio del Fagara coco, Congreso Internacional de Biología, Montevideo, Oct. 1930.
- Fernández Rua, R.: (1933), El alcaloide de la corteza del Fagara coco: la fagaridina, Córdoba, folleto - 12 pp. y tablas.
- Boelcke, O.: (1989) Plantas vasculares de la Argentina - Bs.As., Ed. H. Sur, 2da. reimpresión, 171 - 369 pp.