''Pilocarpus'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of about 13 species of plants belonging to the family

Rutaceae The Rutaceae () is a family (biology), family, commonly known as the rueRUTACEAE
in Bo ...

, native to the

Neotropics The Neotropical realm is one of the eight biogeographic realms constituting Earth's land surface. Physically, it includes the tropical terrestrial ecoregions of the Americas and the entire South American temperate zone. Definition In biogeog ...

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a considerably smaller portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It can also be described as the southern Subregion#Americas, subregion o ...

. Various species are important pharmacologically as a source of the

parasympathomimetic A parasympathomimetic drug, sometimes called a cholinomimetic drug or cholinergic receptor stimulating agent, is a substance that stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). These chemicals are also called cholinergic drugs becaus ...

alkaloid Alkaloids are a broad class of natural product, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. Some synthetic compounds of similar structure may also be termed alkaloids. Alkaloids are produced by a large varie ...

pilocarpine. Many of the species have the common name jaborandi.

Etymology

The taxonomic name ''Pilocarpus'' is derived from ancient Greek πῖλος wool, felt + καρπός fruit.

Species

;Selected species *'' Pilocarpus goudotianus'' Tul. *'' Pilocarpus jaborandi'' (Pernambuco jaborandi) *'' Pilocarpus microphyllus'' (Maranham jaborandi) *'' Pilocarpus racemosus'' (Guadeloupe jaborandi) *'' Pilocarpus pennatifolius'' (Paraguay jaborandi) *'' Pilocarpus spicatus'' (Aracati jaborandi)

References

External links

Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Pilocarpus''
{{Taxonbar, from=Q429314 Zanthoxyloideae Taxa named by Martin Vahl Zanthoxyloideae genera