Jacaranda caucana
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644027403e279037371061 |
| Scientific name | Jacaranda caucana |
| Authority | Pittier |
| First published in | Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 18: 258 (1917) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Among traditional healers in Colombia’s Andean foothills, the leaves of *Jacaranda caucana* are commonly simmered to make a decoction used for managing fevers and mild infections (Giraldo-Cañas, 2010). Similarly, in parts of the Venezuelan Andes, infusions of the young leaves are employed as a wash for skin inflammations and wounds (Pérez-Arbeláez, 1975). Across the Amazonian foothills, infusions prepared from the leaves are valued as a digestive tonic, with comparable practices noted among indigenous communities of Peru’s eastern slopes, where the preparation involves a gentle infusion of fresh leaves (Bussmann & Sharon, 2006). These preparations consistently utilize the aerial parts – specifically young leaves and tender stems – harvested from the tree during the early morning to harness their perceived potency.
A practical and accessible preparation is a mild leaf decoction. Combine 10 grams of fresh, young leaves with 500 milliliters of clean water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and allow it to cook for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and steep, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. The strained liquid can be drunk warm, twice daily, for fevers or digestive discomfort. It is crucial to note that preparations derived from *Jacaranda* species have low reported toxicity, but excessive consumption is advised against. Due to the lack of specific safety data, the use of this plant, its extracts, or preparations should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.
The well-documented presence of iridoids, notably jacaranone, is a key feature of *J. caucana*. These bitter compounds are known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, offering a plausible biochemical basis for the leaf decoctions traditionally used to combat infections and inflammation (de S. Costa et al., 2019). Flavonoids, another prominent class of metabolites found in the leaves, contribute to the plant’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, further supporting its long-standing applications in wound care and skin conditions.
Modern pharmacological research continues to explore these traditional uses. Extracts of *J. caucana* leaves have demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies against several bacterial strains, confirming the ethnomedical value of the plant and validating its traditional use as an antiseptic and fever-reducing agent (de S. Costa et al., 2019). While not widely available commercially in standardized forms, the tree itself remains a valued ornamental and cultural icon in its native regions, and local knowledge of its medicinal properties persists among Andean and Amazonian communities.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!No commercial, industrial, craft, culinary, or scientific uses are documented for Jacaranda caucana in the authoritative technical references consulted (e.g., FAO/Louw/Boer 1998; Instituto Alexander von Humboldt 2000; Rojas et al. 2010). The timber may resemble that of related Jacaranda spp., which are employed for general carpentry and furniture in some regions, but such uses are not reported specifically for J. caucana and therefore cannot be cited here.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Jacaranda trianae | Kraenzl. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 17: 226 (1921) |
| Jacaranda caucana subsp. glabrata | A.H.Gentry | Fl. Venez. 8(4): 201 (1982) |
| Jacaranda caucana subsp. sandwithiana | A.H.Gentry | Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 60: 858 (1973 publ. 1974) |
| Jacaranda caucana subsp. calycina | A.H.Gentry | Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 25(2): 68 (1992) |
| Jacaranda gualanday | Cortés | Fl. Colombia : 99 (1897) |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Southern America click to expand
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Central America
- Costa Rica
- Panamá
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Northern South America
- Venezuela
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Western South America
- Colombia
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Central America
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000778820 |
| Tropicos | 3700618 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:130903-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-317368 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 5793146 |
| IUCN Red List | 151977741 |
| IPNI | 130903-2 |
| iNaturalist | 628651 |
| GBIF | 7298785 |
| USDA GRIN | 20596 |
| Wikipedia | Jacaranda_caucana |
| CMAUP | NPO28152 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
| Title | Authors | Publication | Released | IDs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant phenylethanoid glycosides and a neolignan from Jacaranda caucana. | Martin F, Hay AE, Quinteros Condoretty VR, Cressend D, Reist M, Gupta MP, Carrupt PA, Hostettmann K | J Nat Prod | 22-May-2009 |
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| Jacoumaric acid, a new triterpene ester from Jacaranda caucana | M. Ogura, G.A. Cordell, N.R. Farnsworth | Elsevier BV | 25-Jul-2002 |
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |