Pilocarpus Explained

Pilocarpus is a genus of about 13 species of plants belonging to the family Rutaceae, native to the Neotropics of South America. Various species are important pharmacologically as a source of the parasympathomimetic alkaloid pilocarpine.^[1] Many of the species have the common name jaborandi.

Etymology

The taxonomic name Pilocarpus is derived from ancient Greek πῖλος wool, felt + καρπός fruit.

Species

Selected species

• Pilocarpus goudotianus Tul.
• Pilocarpus jaborandi (Pernambuco jaborandi)
• Pilocarpus microphyllus (Maranham jaborandi)
• Pilocarpus racemosus (Guadeloupe jaborandi)
• Pilocarpus pennatifolius (Paraguay jaborandi)^[2]
• Pilocarpus spicatus (Aracati jaborandi)

External links

• Germplasm Resources Information Network: Pilocarpus

Notes and References

1. Production of Pilocarpine in Callus of Jaborandi (Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf). 4293939. Ilka Nacif. De Abreu. Alexandra Cristine H. F.. Sawaya. Marcos Nogueira. Eberlin. Paulo. Mazzafera. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant. 41. 6. November–December 2005. 806–811. Society for In Vitro Biology. 10.1079/IVP2005711. 26058596.
2. Jaborandi. 15. 104.