| Paullinia |
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Paullinia cupana fruit
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| Scientific classification |
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| | Species |
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Paullinia alata G. Don
Paullinia cupana Kunth - Guaraná
Paullinia cururu L.
Paullinia fuscescens Kunth
Paullinia pinnata L.
Paullinia plumieri Triana & Planch.
Paullinia weinmannifolia Mart.
Paullinia yoco R. E. Schultes & Killip - Yoco
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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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