Ichthyotoxic plants are known in Brazil under the generic denomination of Timbó, which are in fact plants of many genera and species (1). The liana growing at Amazonat has not yet been identified at genus level, but shows affinity to the genus Derris (2). Active ingredients are for example rotenoids, which occur in several genera of tropical leguminosae plants such as Derris (Papilionaceae), Antonia (Loganiaceae) and Lonchocarpus (Fabaceae) (1). The rotenoids can have an inhibitory effect on the function of mitochondria (3).

(1) Luitgards-Moura, JF, Castellón Bermudez, EG, Imbiriba da Rocha, AF, Tsouris, P, Rosa-Freitas, MG (2002) Preliminary Assays Indicate that Antonia ovata (Loganiaceae) and Derris amazonica (Papilionaceae), Ichthyotoxic Plants Used for Fishing in Roraima, Brazil, Have an Insecticide Effect on Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae). Scielo Brasil 97(5): 737-742

(2) Hopkins, MJ (1990) Flora da Reserva Ducke. INPA-DFID

(3) Ravanel, P, Tissur, M, Douce, R (1984) Effects of Rotenoids on Isolated Plant Mitochondria. Plant Physiol 75; 414-420

Several species of the genus Ormosia are known for their brilliantly coloured seeds, which are often red, or red with black (1). The seeds of Ormosia paraenis for example are collected for ornament and for example worn in necklaces. The trees themselves are perhaps even more beautiful, as is shown in this picture of Ormosia sp. A.

(1) Lewis, GP & Owen, PE (1989) Legumes of the Ilha de Maracá. RBG Kew 94 p.

This tree, commonly known as Paracutaca or Jabelona, grows in the igapo, and the fruits are said to heal cuts and other skin problems (1). An extract of the bark of Swartzia polyphylla showed important larvicidal, antimycobacterial and antifungal activity in vitro (2).

(1) Guides at Amazonat (pers. comm.)

(2) Rojas R, Bustamante B, Ventosilla P, Fernadez I, Caviedes L, Gilman RH, Lock O, Hammond GB (2006) Larvicidal, antimycobacterial and antifungal compounds from the bark of the Peruvian plant Swartzia polyphylla DC. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 54(2): 278-9

This tree at Amazonat has not been determined to genus level yet. It shows resemblance to Clathrotropis, Diplotropys and Macrolobium.