Abuta

Abuta is a genus in the Menispermaceae family. It consists of 32 species native to Central America and South America.

Description
Members of this genus are dioecious climbers, trees, or shrubs with simple leaves. The flowers are composed in panicles. A male flower has 6 sepals in 2 whorls, no petals, and 6 stamens. The female flowers have the sepals and petals as a male does, with 6 staminodes, and 3 carpels. The fruits are drupes that have woody endocarps, curved embryos, and appressed cotyledons.

Taxonomy
Abuta is often times classified in the tribe, Anomospermae with Anomospermum.

Synonyms

 * Anelasma Miers.
 * Batschia Thunb.

Uses
Indigenous tribes of South America extract curare poison from some members of this genus. The roots of Abuta rufescens are used in medicines of the urogenital tract, but this can be dangerous.

Chemicals of certain species go against the larvicidy stage against Aedes aegypti.