Abuta grandifolia / Abuta / Menispermaceae (Moonseed family)

Information

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Other Names

Abuta, Ancabesux (Siona), Aristoloche Lobee, Barbasco, Bejuco De Raton, Bejunco de Cerca, Bofrusiri (Surinam) , Brava, Mutua, mutua, Caimitillo, Feuille Coeur, Gasing Gasing, Ice Vine, Imchich Masha, Liane Patte chaval, Motelo sanando, Oje-ji-ka-ka (Andoke), Palo de motelo (Ecuador), Palo de Motelo (Ecuador), Pancha muca (Shipibo-Conibo, Pareira , Patacon, Quaymitu (Quechua) , sanando, Soga, Taquepuraque (Kubeo), Trompetero sacha, Velvetleaf, Vibuajeira-Mirsimarika (Macuna), Yahuaticaspi.

Scent

Abuta is extremely bitter to the taste.

Contents

Abuta contains Saponins, Flavonoids, Alkaloids, and Tannins. Its active components are: (+) Curine, (++) Curine-4''-Methyl-Ether, 4-O-Methylcurine, Alkaloids, Bebeerine, Cissamine, Cissampareine, Cyclanoline, Cycleanine, D-quercitol, EO, Hayatidine, Hayatine, Hayatinine, Isochondodendrine, Menismine, Parierine, Pelosine, Quercitol, Saponin, Tetrandrine, and Tetrandrine-N-2'-Oxide.
Abuta contains Palmatin; bis-benzil-isoquinolinic alkaloids and three particular molecules: Tetrandrin, Parirubin A and Parirubin B.

Plant Description

Abuta is a tropical woody, climbing vine with long leaves, white flowers and inedible dark, grape seized, berries. Abuta vine is hard, heavy, tough, and when freshly cut has a waxy luster. The vine is blackish brown with beautiful knotty ridges that resemble a ruffled ribbon winding its way up to the canopy. This plant is found in tropical wet areas, with a high level of rainfall and is relatively resistant to floods. It can be found near and far away from water, in secondary forests, degraded meadows, and pastures with medium light intensity. Found throughout the Amazon in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador and Columbia, Abuta is cultivated by many people to beautify their gardens.