Helicteres baruensis
| Helicteres baruensis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Helicteres |
| Species: | H. baruensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Helicteres baruensis | |
Helicteres baruensis, or the tornillo de Venezuela ("Venezuelan screw")[1] is a species of plant belonging to the family Malvaceae.
Description
[edit]It is a shrub that reaches a size of 2 metres (7 ft) in height. Leaves ovate, sometimes asymmetric, 9–16 centimetres (4–6 in) long and 6–10 centimetres (2–4 in) wide, apex acute, base cordate; petiole 1–3 centimetres (0.4–1 in) long. Flowers zygomorphic, oblique, with shiny nectaries on the peduncle; calyx tubular-bell-shaped, 2.5–3 centimetres (0.98–1.2 in) long and 1 centimetre (0.4 in) wide, bilabiate; petals ribbon-like, greenish; androgynophore curved, 8–11 centimetres (3–4 in) long, tomentose. Capsule spiraled, sometimes straight towards the apex, 2.3–4 centimetres (0.9–2 in) long and 1–1.3 centimetres (0.4–0.5 in) wide, grayish.[2]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]It is native to the West Indies, where it grows in warm climates, from sea level to 30 metres (100 ft) in altitude, associated with tropical deciduous and subdeciduous forests.
Properties
[edit]In Quintana Roo of Mexico, it is used for respiratory ailments, such as cough and asthma.[3]
Taxonomy
[edit]'Helicteres baruensis' was described by Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin and published in Enumeratio Systematica Plantarum, quas in insulis Caribaeis 30. 1760.[2]
- Synonymy
- Helicteres altheifolia Benth.
- Helicteres mollis C.Presl[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Colmeiro, Miguel: "Dictionary of the various common names of many usual or notable plants of the old and new world", Madrid, 1871.
- ^ a b "Helicteres baruensis". Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
- ^ "In Traditional Mexican Medicine". Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
- ^ "Helicteres baruensis". The Plant List. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
