Leaf: Leaves are boiled, and the water drunk as an antipyretic, by the Guyana Patamona.

Is a shrub or small tree, 3-7 m high. The brachyblasts imitate a pinnate leaf. The leaves are ovate to elliptic and have an acute tip. The species frequently occurs in Flacourtiaceae RF1 hot regions of Venezuela, but was also found in the cloud forest of Rancho Grande. The leaf structure has been studied by ROTH (1990). The leaf is a typical hygromorphic shade leaf with lenticular cells in the lower epidermis which resemble ocelli. The glycosides isolated from this species have antineoplastic activity (SCHULTES & RAFFAUF 1990). The crushed leaves are prepared for a wash of the head to treat headache. A decoction of the leaves and flowering parts is taken for backache (SCHULTES & RAFFAUF 1990). Quite a few species of this genus have medical use, several are cultivated as fish poisons (e.g. P. piscatorum). The leaves of this species are also applied as an insect repellent. For further medically used species see: SCHULTES & RAFFAUF 1990, UPHOFF 1968, GUPTA 1995, RORIGUEZ 1983, MANFRED 1982, ALBORNOZ 1993, DELASCIO CHITTY 1995.

1) South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.

2) Robertt, A., et al.. Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana)/Smithsonian NMNH. cited online: 17-08-2017