View source for Lithraea molleoides

{{italic title}}
{{taxobox
|name = ''Lithraea molleoides''
| image = Aruera.jpg
| image_width = 205px
|regnum = [[Plantae]]
|unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]
|unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]]
|unranked_ordo = [[Rosids]]
|ordo = [[Sapindales]]
|familia = [[Anacardiaceae]]
|genus = ''[[Lithraea]]''
|species = '''''L. molleoides'''''
|binomial = ''Lithraea molleoides''
|binomial_authority = ([[Vell.]]) [[Engl.]]
|}}

'''''Lithraea molleoides''''' ([[syn.]] ''Lithraea molleoides'' [[var.]] ''lorentziana'' Lillo,  ''Lithraea ternifolia'', ''Schinus brasiliensis'' Marchand ex Cabrera, ''Schinus leucocarpus'' M., ''Schinus molleoides'' (Vell.) Engler,  ''Lithraea aroeirinha'' Marchand ex Warm. <ref>[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?22420 ''Lithraea molleoides''] at [http://www.ars-grin.gov/ Germplasm Resources Information Network]</ref>) is a tree (2.5 and 8 m tall) that is native to [[South America]], specially in [[Argentina]], [[Bolivia]], and [[Cerrado]] vegetation of [[Brazil]]. 

==Medicinal uses==
This plant is used as a [[honey plant]] and [[medicinal plant]] in the form of [[alcoholic extract]]s, [[decoction]]s, and [[infusion]]s for the treatment of [[arthritis]], [[bronchitis]], [[cough]], and diseases of the [[digestive system]]. It is also used as [[diuretic]], [[hemostatic]], tonic agent, and [[tranquillizer]]. Furthermore, it has [[antimicrobial]], [[Antiviral drug|antiviral]], [[cytotoxic]], and [[immunomodulatory]] proprieties. 

However, the plant is commonly considered as unsuitable to [[landscaping]], as it is a [[poisonous plant]]: it produces volatile substances that propagate from touching the leaves, through contact with droplets, or through the tree's [[pollen]]. These substances are allergenic<ref>Cf. Paulo Backes & Bruno Irgang, ''Mata Atlântica: as árvores e a paisagem'', Porto Alegre, Paisagem do Sul, 2004, page 100</ref> and contact with them may produce general allergic sensitivity, skin disease, fever, and visual problems. <ref>Shimizu, Mario Tsunezi; Bueno, Leandro de Jesus Franco;Rodrigues, Rosa Fátima Oliveira; Sallowicz, Fabiano Augusto; Sawaya, Alexandra Christine Helena Frankland; Marques, Márcia Ortiz Maio. [http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1517-83822006000400028&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en ''Essential oil of Lithraea molleoides (Vell.): chemical composition and antimicrobial activity''] Brazilian Journal of Microbiology vol.37 no.4  São Paulo Oct./Dec. 2006</ref>. Planting this tree where it can be accessible to the general public is therefore strongly discouraged.

==Popular custom==
In [[Uruguay]], folk tradition states that people are supposed to salute the tree by changing the time of the day. If somebody encounters the tree during the day, she is supposed to say "Good night, Mrs. Aruera". Similarly, if it is during the night, she should say "Good day, Mrs. Aruera".

==See also==
*[[List of plants of Cerrado vegetation of Brazil]]
*[[List of honey plants]]
*''[[Lithraea caustica]]''

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* {{es icon}} [http://www.sib.gov.ar/fichas/flora.aspx?id=Lithraea%20molleoides&accion=tecnica Sistema de Información de Biodiversidad: ''Lithraea molleoides'']

[[Category:Lithraea|molleoides]]
[[Category:Trees of Argentina]]
[[Category:Trees of Bolivia]]
[[Category:Trees of Brazil]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Poisonous plants]]
[[Category:Honey plants]]

{{Anacardiaceae-stub}}
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[[es:Lithraea molleoides]]
[[pt:Lithraea molleoides]]
[[Category:2Fix]]