Paullinia

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Paullinia is a genus of shrubs, small trees and lianas in the soapberry family Sapindaceae, native to tropical South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The genus is named after the German medical botanist Christian Franz Paullini, who discovered the genus in the Caribbean in the 18th century.

Uses

Several uses are recorded. The fruit of several species are edible, with P. cupana (Guaraná) being the most popular. Other species, notably P. yoco (Yoco), are used as herbal medicines for various treatments. The sap of some species, notably P. cururu is highly toxic, and is used as an arrow poison by Native American tribes in South America.

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