Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Description —
This is a perennial branchy shrub, about 1 m in height. It produces yellowish-
white flowers. The fruits are smaller than those of
C. annuum
and are oblong, conical, obtuse, and
binocular, rarely exceeding 4 cm. They are more pungent than those of
C. annum,
with color rang-
ing from red, yellowish red, to brownish red; they have a characteristic odor that can be modified
by selective breeding.
Constituents —
The plant contains up to 14% capsaicin, the pungent principles in the genus. It
yields in varied concentrations the compounds reported for
C. annum.
The pungent properties of
Capsicum
can be distinguished from those of gingerol and paradol (found in Zingiberaceae) by the
ability of the pungent substance in
Capsicum
to be resistant to destruction by solutions of caustic
alkalis (1 in 50) but destroyed by potassium permanganate.
Pharmacological Studies —
The biological activities are similar to those reported for
C.
annum.
The dietary hot short pepper showed antioxidant activity and prevented cyclophosphamide-
induced oxidative stress in the brain. Although the flesh is a better protectant, the possible contribu-
tory role of the seeds cannot be ruled out.
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CARAPA PROCERA
Botanical Name —
Carapa procera
DC.
Synonyms —
Carapa guineensis
Sweet et A. Juss.,
C. touloucouna
Guill. et Perr.,
C. gummi-
lua
DC,
C. velutina
DC,
C. microcarpa
Chev.,
Trichilia procera
Forsyth.,
Granatum surinamensis
(Miq.) Kuntze
Family —
Meliaceae
Common Names —
Monkey cola, crabwood
Description —
It is a tall tree, often attaining a height of up to 17 m, with wide spreading
branches and large leaves that are clustered at the end of the twigs. The bark is pale brown, thin, and
smooth with pinkish or red slash. The leaves are large, up to 2 m long, with 8-20 pairs of opposite
or alternate leaflets. Leaflets vary enormously is size and shape, usually from 12 to 24 cm long and
1.8 to 9 cm broad. They are elliptic to elongate-oblong in shape, rounded or wedge shaped. The leaf
surface displays about 10 pairs of lateral veins, widely spaced . The flowers appear from August to
October and January to February. They are creamy white with reddish or pinkish centers, are sweet
scented and about 6 mm long, and are borne on long common stalks. The fruits are almost globu-
lar in shape with long or short beaks. They open by means of valves (five), which may have ridges
