Chondrodendron candicans

Chondrodendron candicans (L. C. Rich.) Sandw. C. iquitanum Diels C. limaciifolium (Diels) Mold. C. polyanthum Diels C. tomento-sum, Ruiz and Pavon. 

Of these authenticated species, Chondrodendron candicans and C. tomento-sum have been examined by King (pp. 364, 376) and the results of work by Wintersteiner and Duteher and by King on curares described as made from C. tomentosum are given below. 

Curarea candicans (Rich.) Barneby et Krukoff (Chondrodendron candicans (Rich.) Sandw. Chondrodendron limaciifolium (Diels) Mold., type of basionym only), a big liane reaching into the forest canopy, has a more easterly spread Venezuela (Bolivar), the Guianas, and Brazil (Amazonas, Para) (234). About its probable use in curare, see Table 1.2. 

Menispermaceae contains many medicinal and toxic plants. Some of the South American Menispermaceae were used by native Indians for their curare activity [7]. The western world was introduced to the muscle relaxants by the Spaniards, who encountered these arrow poisons in 1514 [7, 95]. The main South American Menispermaceae species used to prepare pot/tube curare are Chondrodendron tomentosum, and three of the four known curarea genus, Curarea candicans, C. tecunarum and C. toxicofera [7]. 

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