Rourea glabra — Edible Plant Database

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit

The fruit is edible.

Known Hazards

The seeds are very poisonous - especially to carnivorous animals. They have been used for poisoning coyotes, rats etc, and have also been used for criminal poisoning. The seeds or fruits are eaten commonly by some birds, and it is stated that if dogs eat birds that have eaten the fruit, they will die. Further, if people eat the flesh of such birds, they also are poisoned and die

Where to Find It

It is a tropical plant.

Amazon, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Greater Antilles, Mexico, Panama, South America, Venezuela,

Countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, Suriname, El Salvador, Uruguay, Venezuela

How to Identify

Glabrous rourea is a tropical tree in the Connaraceae family.

Medicinal Uses

The seeds are used as a treatment for cutaneous diseases.

Other Uses

A strong fibre is obtained from the pliable stems. It is obtained from the roots. It is used for cordage. The bark is a source of tannins. A red dye is obtained from the roots.

Names & Synonyms

Bejuco de Llaga, Bejuco negro, Bejuco negro de rio, Chilillo

Connarus glaber (Kunth) DC.Connarus oblongifolius (Hook.& Arn.) Mart. ex BakerRobergia glabra (Kunth) Spreng.Rourea cubensis Urb.Rourea glabra var. floribunda (Planch.) ForeroRourea granatensis Cuatrec.Rourea oblongifolia Hook. & Arn.Rourea oblongifolia var. floribunda Planch.Rourea paucifolia G.Schellenb.Rourea paucifoliata BrittonRourea paucifoliolata Planch.Rourea sympetala Urb.Santalodes glabra (Kunth) Kuntze

References (2)

Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 573
Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.