Lonchocarpus urucu
Lonchocarpus urucu | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Division: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | |
Species: | L. urucu
|
Binomial name | |
Lonchocarpus urucu |
Barbasco (Lonchocarpus urucu) is part of the Fabaceae (or Leguminosae) family. It is native to the tropical forests of Peru, as well as of Brazil and Guyana, growing from 100-1,800 meters above sea level.
Cubé resin, the root extract from Barbasco and from Cubé (Lonchocarpus utilis), is used as a commercial insecticide and fish poison. The major active ingredients are rotenone and deguelin. Although "organic" (produced by nature) rotenone is no longer considered an environmentally safe chemical.
Other Useful Information
- Barbasco is toxic to insects, fish, and other pets. The primary threat to humans and other mammals comes from inhaling the powdered root or root extract.