SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ON THE AMERICAN SPECIES OF STRYCHNOS. XV. B. A. Krukoff Contents Introduction 17 Discussion of spp. of sect. Strychnos (# 1-38) 18 11 " " " " Rouhamon (#39-48) 21 " " Breviflorae (#49-71) 21 Bibliography 22 Introduction Since the previous paper in this series was submitted for publication in 1976, 75 new collections were examined. The newly examined collections added to our knowledge of several species, and extensions of range were noted for ten. The extensions of S. nigricans to the well -collected State of Parana, Brazil, and of S. poeppigii to Panama, Panama, are most interesting. No new species were described. It was particularly interesting to see fruits (unfortunately, not completely mature) of S. tabascana for the first time. The shells of these fruits are thicker than those of the closely related S. panamensis . The corolla of S_. tabascana is pubescent externally, whereas that of S. panamensis is glabrous. The chemical work of Professor Marini-Bettolo and his associates is continuing, as may be seen from the bibliography. In a previous paper, I mentioned the very timely and inter-esting contributions made by Dr. Ghillean T. Prance concerning the botanical ingredients of Curare as prepared by four Indian tribes. Three species of Strychnos were identified previously: S. bredemeyeri used by Mayongong and Sanama Indians of Roraima, and S. cogens and S. solimoesana used by Jamamadi Indians of the basin of the Rio Purus . Other specimens, sterile and from com-paratively young plants, are still under study. Details on the preparation of Curare will be published elsewhere. S. peckii is reported by Alberto T. Ortega as an ingredient of Curare in Morona Santiago, Ecuador. (1) Consulting Botanist of Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, Rahway, New Jersey, and Honorary Curator of New York Botanical Garden. 17
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