| Brosimum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Brosimum guianense parts drawing | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Moraceae |
| Tribe: | Dorstenieae |
| Genus: | Brosimum Sw. (1788)[1] |
| Species[2] | |
19, seetext | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Brosimum is agenus of plants in thefamilyMoraceae, native totropical regions of theAmericas.
The breadnut (B. alicastrum) was used by theMaya civilization for its edible nut. The dense vividly colored scarlet wood ofB. paraense is used for decorative woodworking.[3]B. guianense, orsnakewood, has a mottled snake-skin pattern, and is among the densest woods, with a very high stiffness; it was the wood of choice for making of bows for musical instruments of theviolin family until the late 18th century, when it was replaced by the more easily worked brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata). Plants of this genus are otherwise used fortimber, building materials, and in a cultural context.
Bufotenin has been identified as a component in the latex of the takini (Brosimum acutifolium) tree, which is used as a psychedelic by South American shamans.[4]
19 species are accepted.[2]
