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Helicteres baruensis

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Species of plant

Helicteres baruensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Helicteres
Species: H. baruensis
Binomial name
Helicteres baruensis
Jacq.

Helicteres baruensis, or the tornillo de Venezuela ("Venezuelan screw") is a species of plant belonging to the family Malvaceae.

Description

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.

Distribution and habitat

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

In Quintana Roo of Mexico, it is used for respiratory ailments, such as cough and asthma.

Taxonomy

'Helicteres baruensis' was described by Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin and published in Enumeratio Systematica Plantarum, quas in insulis Caribaeis 30. 1760.

Synonymy
  • Helicteres altheifolia Benth.
  • Helicteres mollis C.Presl

References

  1. Colmeiro, Miguel: "Dictionary of the various common names of many usual or notable plants of the old and new world", Madrid, 1871.
  2. ^ "Helicteres baruensis". Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  3. "In Traditional Mexican Medicine". Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  4. "Helicteres baruensis". The Plant List. Retrieved November 13, 2014.


Taxon identifiers
Helicteres baruensis
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