''Pilocarpus'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

of about 13 species of plants belonging to the family

Rutaceae The Rutaceae is a family, commonly known as the rueRUTACEAE
in BoDD – Botanical Der ...

, 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 bioge ...

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the sout ...

. 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 because ace ...

alkaloid Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar ...

pilocarpine Pilocarpine is a medication used to reduce pressure inside the eye and treat dry mouth. As eye drops it is used to manage angle closure glaucoma until surgery can be performed, ocular hypertension, primary open angle glaucoma, and to bring abo ...

. 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 jaborandi'' (Pernambuco jaborandi) *'' Pilocarpus microphyllus'' (Maranham jaborandi) *'' Pilocarpus racemosus'' (Guadeloupe jaborandi) *'' Pilocarpus pennatifolius'' (Paraguay jaborandi) *''

Pilocarpus spicatus ''Pilocarpus'' is a genus of about 13 species of plants belonging to the family Rutaceae, native to the Neotropics of South America. Various species are important pharmacologically as a source of the parasympathomimetic alkaloid pilocarpine ...

'' (Aracati jaborandi)

References

External links

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