Zuccagnia punctata cav.: phytochemistry, traditional uses and pharmacology

Abstract

Zuccagnia punctata Cav. (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae) is a monotypic endemic species that spontaneously grows in the arid and semiarid regions of central and northwestern Argentina, from Mendoza to Jujuy Provinces. The vernacular names of this shrub are "Jarilla macho", "Puspus", "Laca", "Jarilla pispito" and "Jarilla de la Puna". This species together with other Leguminosae, Zygophyllaceae and Bromeliaceae are present in the phytogeographic province of "Monte", in Argentina (Ulibarri, 1999, 2005; Del Vitto et al., 1997). Z. punctata is a shrub of 1?5 m in height, is very aromatic because of a high content of resins in the foliage and grows in rocky and/or rubbly soils (Burkart, 1952).