Palicourea hoffmannseggiana

Family: Rubiaceae Genus: Palicourea Species: hoffmannseggiana

Synonyms: Psychotria rubra var. lanceolata, Psychotria rubra, Psychotria flavicans, Psychotria furcata, Psychotria barbiflora, Psychotria tenuiramea, Psychotria bahiensis, Uragoga biattenuata, Uragoga tribracteata, Psychotria rubra var. gracilis, Cephaelis patrisii, Uragoga furcata, Carapichea patrisii, Psychotria barbiflora var. genuina, Psychotria hoffmannseggiana subsp. tribracteata, Uragoga flavicans, Patabea capitellata, Psychotria hoffmannseggiana, Cephaelis furcata, Palicourea furcata, Psychotria biattenuata, Cephaelis hoffmannseggiana, Psychotria cuspidata var. vulgatior, Psychotria heterocephala, Psychotria tribracteata, Uragoga barbiflora, Uragoga capitellata, Cephaelis rubra, Uragoga carapichea, Psychotria rubra var. virens, Uragoga heterocephala, Psychotria hoffmannseggiana var. celsa, Psychotria hoffmannseggiana var. tribracteata, Psychotria hoffmannseggiana f. pubescens, Uragoga hoffmannseggiana

Botanical Description

Palicourea hoffmannseggiana is a shrub in the coffee family (Rubiaceae), native to the Neotropics with a distribution extending from southern Mexico and the Caribbean through Central America to the Amazon basin and the Guianas. Plants typically reach 1-3 meters in height, with slender, glabrous to slightly puberulent branches and prominent interpetiolar stipules. The leaves are opposite, simple, elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, 6-18 cm long, with entire margins, acuminate tips, and a thin to subcoriaceous texture; secondary veins are arched and prominent on the underside. Inflorescences are terminal, branched panicles or corymbs with conspicuous yellow to orange rachis and pedicels. The tubular flowers are bright yellow to orange-yellow, 1-1.5 cm long, often with a slightly curved corolla tube adapted to hummingbird pollination. Fruits are small drupes, ripening from green through orange to deep blue or violet-black at maturity, displayed against the persistent orange floral parts.

Native Region: Bolivia, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles

Cultural & Historical Context

Traditional American Uses

None Documented

Chemistry & External Identifiers

Trefle ID

241146

Important Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

Back to Herb Database