Hancornia

Hancornia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. It was first described as a genus in 1817. The genus is native to South America, Central America, and Mexico.

Etymology

The genus name, Hancornia, is named in honor of Captain John Hancorn, a British naval officer. The specific epithet, speciosa, is derived from the Latin word speciosus, meaning 'beautiful' or 'showy'.

Description

Hancornia is a small to medium-sized tree, usually reaching 4–10 meters in height. The leaves are opposite, simple, and entire. The flowers are small, with a five-lobed corolla and a five-lobed calyx. The fruit is a drupe, containing several seeds.

Species

There are currently four recognized species in the genus Hancornia:

• Hancornia speciosa – Mangaba
• Hancornia amara – Bitter Mangaba
• Hancornia pubescens – Pubescent Mangaba
• Hancornia sylvatica – Forest Mangaba

Uses

The fruit of Hancornia speciosa, known as mangaba, is edible and widely consumed in Brazil. It is also used in the production of juices, ice creams, and sweets. The latex from the tree is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of ulcers and gastritis.

Conservation

Several species of Hancornia are threatened by habitat loss. Hancornia speciosa is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List due to deforestation and overharvesting for its fruit.

See also

• List of Apocynaceae genera

References

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External links

• The Plant List: Hancornia

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