Byron Wilson Pereira de Albuquerque (1932-2003)

A taxonomic synopsis of Virola (Myristicaceae) in Mesoamerica, including six new species

“…Virola calophylloidea has recently been considered synonymous with V. calophylla (e.g. Rodrigues 1980; Jaramillo et al 2004; ter Steege et al 2019). However, here, it is treated as a morphologically distinct species.…”

“… ‡ From Rodrigues 1980, except where it is specified otherwise that it comes from † Smith 1938 and § Jaramillo et al 2004.…”

“…It is likely that the etymology of the generic name is derived from one of the common names mentioned in the protologue, which stated: “Nomen Caribaeum Oyapocenfibus VOIROUCHI ; Sinemarienfibus VIROLA ; Galliucum JEAJEAMADOU ” (Aublet 1775). Subsequent authors have attributed this etymology to a Galibi or Sinemari vernacular name for V. sebifera in French Guiana (Rodrigues 1972, 1980; Cardona et al 2010; Mari Mut 2018). However, others believe that the name is derived from the Latin viriola (bracelet), in reference to the aril that surrounds the seed (e.g.…”

“…The sap of an undetermined species of Virola has been reported to be used as a contraceptive by Indians on the Rio Negro of Brazil and is reputedly effective for a period of two or three years (Plotkin and Schultes 1990). Finally, the oil obtained from the seeds of Virola officinalis Warb, V. sebifera and V. surinamensis has many medical folk uses, including treatments for asthma, rheumatism, tumours of the joints, intestinal worms, skin diseases, erysipelas, haemorrhoids and bad breath (Rodrigues 1972, 1980; Plotkin and Schultes 1990).…”

“…Since then, 17 new species of Virola have been published from South America (Ducke 1945; Smith 1953, 1956; Williams 1964; Little 1970; Rodrigues 1977, 1989; Sabatier 1997; Jaramillo et al 2000) and one from Mesoamerica: V. megacarpa A. H. Gentry (Gentry 1975). Several important local floristic accounts of Virola have also been published, some of which made important taxonomic changes for their region (South America: Cogollo 2011, Gradstein, 2018 [Colombia]; Achá and Liesner 2014 [Bolivia]; Rodrigues 1980, 2010, 2015 [Brazil]; Jaramillo et al 2004 [Ecuador]; Mitchell 2002 [central French Guiana]; Aymard et al 2007 [Guiana Shield]; Vásquez Martínez 1997, 2010, Vásquez et al 2018 [Peru]; Rodrigues 2008, Rodrigues et al 2001 [Venezuela]; Mesoamerica: Acevedo-Rodríguez and Strong 2012 [West Indies]); (Balick et al 2000 [Belize]; Jiménez 2007 [Costa Rica]; Nelson 2008 [Honduras]; Villaseñor 2016 [Mexico]; Gentry 2001 [Nicaragua]; Duke 1962, Correa et al 2004 [Panama]). Perhaps the most substantial of these is “Revisão taxonômica das espécies de Virola Aublet (Myristicaceae) do Brasil” (Rodrigues 1980), which provided a treatment for Brazil and refuted the infrageneric proposals by previous authors.…”