Lonchocarpus urucu
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| Lonchocarpus urucu Killip & A.C.Smith |
Barbasco (Lonchocarpus urucu) is part of the Fabaceae (or Leguminosae) family. It is native to the tropical forests of Peru, as well as of Brazil and Guyana, growing from 100 to 1,800 meters above sea level.
Cubé resin, the root extract from Barbasco and from Cubé (Lonchocarpus utilis), is used as a commercial insecticide and piscicide (fish poison). The major active ingredients are rotenone and deguelin. Although "organic" (produced by nature) rotenone is no longer considered an environmentally safe chemical.
[edit] Other useful information
- Barbasco is toxic to insects, fish, and other pets. The primary threat to humans and other mammals comes from inhaling the powdered root or root extract.
