Coriaria myrtifolia
Encyclopedia
Coriaria myrtifolia, called in English redoul, is a shrub to 2–3 m tall. Myrtifolia means myrtle
-like leaves.
The fruit is a fleshy black berry achene
slightly similar to a blackberry
but toxic. Coriaria myrtifolia
has the largest fruits in the genus Coriaria
. It is especially dangerous for children, who may eat it if they confuse it with edible berries. Coriaria myrtifolia should be recognized as one of the most neurotoxic plants in western Mediterranean area.
and Southern France
(from the Gironde
to the Alpes Maritimes), penetrating into Italy
as far as part of the Apennines, the species reappears in the western Rif
and Algeria
,in the Balearic islands
it appears only in Ibiza
. The oldest known mention of this plant, dating from 932, is in a place name and implies its presence in the County of Manresa
, north-west of Barcelona
.
In all this range plays an important role against soil erosion and serves as understory vegetation. Is extraordinarily abundant in the less dense woodlands of the Spanish provinces of Girona and Barcelona (eastern part) at altitudes of 200–600 m., reaching occasionally to 1,000.
name emborrachacabras (i.e. getting goats drunk) refers to the leaves' effect on goats that eat them. The French
name (redoul) and Catalan
name (roldor) derive from Latin
Rhus tyrius (Syria
n or Tyrian sumac
), referring to the leaves use in the traditional tannery
industry.
,Coriaria myrtifolia is one of the 13 Coriaria
species known to bear actinorhizae
The Redoul is a shrub with branches greyish square section. The leaves are sessile, mostly opposite but sometimes in groups of three or more, oblong, acuminate, three ribs. The small greenish flowers, appear from April to June in racemes, have five reddish highlights styles, five sepals and five petals, with ten stamens. The black fruits are formed of five fleshy carpels, each containing one seed.
, vomiting
, abdominal pain
), neurological (obnubilation, convulsions and their complications), and respiratory disorders (polypnea, respiratory problems, apnea
, short and superficial respiration) together with myositis
of the pupils. Treatment of this poisoning is purely symptomatic. In the case of convulsions, rapid resuscitation in an intensive care unit is necessary. Coriamyrtin have also pharmacological action.
The honeydew
from redoul is also toxic.
s content for tanning and dyeing purposes.
During medieval period ecclesiastical institutions, lords, royalty have clearly sought to establish some royalties on that resource, the samples are being especially on the distribution and sale of material first. These uses are due to the wealth of Coriaria spp tannin, particularly concentrated in the stem bark and root, but also present in leaves, where they coexist with yellow dyes chemical group of flavonoids. These tannins are part of the group of hydrolyzable tannins, such as gall
tannins. The chemical composition of redoul thus makes a tanning substance, capable of transforming animal skins recently flayed leather, material rot resistant, flexible and relatively impermeable, a widespread use in many industries. Moreover, the well known chemical reaction of tannins with iron salts, producing black precipitates, is the basis for the manufacture of some ink
s used since the Middle Ages and is also used to dye it black or gray variety of textiles. Until the mid-fourteenth century, the material was the subject of extensive trade between the north of Catalonia
and Languedoc
.
It is also used as an ornamental plant
.
Myrtle
Myrtus is a genus of one or two species of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae, native to southern Europe and north Africa. The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing to 5 m tall. The leaf is entire, 3–5 cm long, with a fragrant essential oil. The star-like flower has five...
-like leaves.
The fruit is a fleshy black berry achene
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
slightly similar to a blackberry
Blackberry
The blackberry is an edible fruit produced by any of several species in the Rubus genus of the Rosaceae family. The fruit is not a true berry; botanically it is termed an aggregate fruit, composed of small drupelets. The plants typically have biennial canes and perennial roots. Blackberries and...
but toxic. Coriaria myrtifolia
has the largest fruits in the genus Coriaria
Coriaria
Coriaria is the sole genus in the family Coriariaceae. It includes about 30 species of subshrubs, shrubs and small trees, with a widespread but disjunct distribution across warm temperate regions of the world, occurring as far apart as the Mediterranean region, southern and eastern Asia, New...
. It is especially dangerous for children, who may eat it if they confuse it with edible berries. Coriaria myrtifolia should be recognized as one of the most neurotoxic plants in western Mediterranean area.
Range
Geographically, this species is confined to the northern Mediterranean coastal SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Southern France
Southern France
Southern France , colloquially known as le Midi is defined geographical area consisting of the regions of France that border the Atlantic Ocean south of the Gironde, Spain, the Mediterranean, and Italy...
(from the Gironde
Gironde
For the Revolutionary party, see Girondists.Gironde is a common name for the Gironde estuary, where the mouths of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers merge, and for a department in the Aquitaine region situated in southwest France.-History:...
to the Alpes Maritimes), penetrating into Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
as far as part of the Apennines, the species reappears in the western Rif
Rif
The Rif or Riff is a mainly mountainous region of northern Morocco, with some fertile plains, stretching from Cape Spartel and Tangier in the west to Ras Kebdana and the Melwiyya River in the east, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the north to the river of Wergha in the south.It is part of the...
and Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
,in the Balearic islands
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital...
it appears only in Ibiza
Ibiza
Ibiza or Eivissa is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea 79 km off the coast of the city of Valencia in Spain. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, an autonomous community of Spain. With Formentera, it is one of the two Pine Islands or Pityuses. Its largest cities are Ibiza...
. The oldest known mention of this plant, dating from 932, is in a place name and implies its presence in the County of Manresa
Manresa
Manresa is the capital of the Comarca of Bages, located in the geographic centre of Catalonia, Spain, and crossed by the river Cardener. It is an industrial area with textile, metallurgical, and glass industries. The houses of Manresa are arranged around the basilica of Santa María de la Seo....
, north-west of Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
.
In all this range plays an important role against soil erosion and serves as understory vegetation. Is extraordinarily abundant in the less dense woodlands of the Spanish provinces of Girona and Barcelona (eastern part) at altitudes of 200–600 m., reaching occasionally to 1,000.
Name
The SpanishSpanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
name emborrachacabras (i.e. getting goats drunk) refers to the leaves' effect on goats that eat them. The French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
name (redoul) and Catalan
Catalan language
Catalan is a Romance language, the national and only official language of Andorra and a co-official language in the Spanish autonomous communities of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Valencian Community, where it is known as Valencian , as well as in the city of Alghero, on the Italian island...
name (roldor) derive from Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
Rhus tyrius (Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
n or Tyrian sumac
Sumac
Sumac is any one of approximately 250 species of flowering plants in the genus Rhus and related genera, in the family Anacardiaceae. Sumacs grow in subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world, especially in Africa and North America....
), referring to the leaves use in the traditional tannery
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
industry.
Description
The root nodules of this plant make symbiotic nitrogen fixationNitrogen fixation
Nitrogen fixation is the natural process, either biological or abiotic, by which nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia . This process is essential for life because fixed nitrogen is required to biosynthesize the basic building blocks of life, e.g., nucleotides for DNA and RNA and...
,Coriaria myrtifolia is one of the 13 Coriaria
Coriaria
Coriaria is the sole genus in the family Coriariaceae. It includes about 30 species of subshrubs, shrubs and small trees, with a widespread but disjunct distribution across warm temperate regions of the world, occurring as far apart as the Mediterranean region, southern and eastern Asia, New...
species known to bear actinorhizae
Actinorhizal plant
Actinorhizal plants are a group of angiosperms characterized by their ability to form a symbiosis with the nitrogen fixing actinobacteria Frankia...
The Redoul is a shrub with branches greyish square section. The leaves are sessile, mostly opposite but sometimes in groups of three or more, oblong, acuminate, three ribs. The small greenish flowers, appear from April to June in racemes, have five reddish highlights styles, five sepals and five petals, with ten stamens. The black fruits are formed of five fleshy carpels, each containing one seed.
Toxicity
Leaves and fruits contain coriamyrtin a typical convulsant substance one member of picrotoxane sesquiterpenes, was first isolated in 1864. Toxic effects are characterized by digestive (nauseaNausea
Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
, vomiting
Vomiting
Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose...
, abdominal pain
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain can be one of the symptoms associated with transient disorders or serious disease. Making a definitive diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain can be difficult, because many diseases can result in this symptom. Abdominal pain is a common problem...
), neurological (obnubilation, convulsions and their complications), and respiratory disorders (polypnea, respiratory problems, apnea
Apnea
Apnea, apnoea, or apnœa is a term for suspension of external breathing. During apnea there is no movement of the muscles of respiration and the volume of the lungs initially remains unchanged...
, short and superficial respiration) together with myositis
Myositis
Myositis is a general term for inflammation of the muscles. Many such conditions are considered likely to be caused by autoimmune conditions, rather than directly due to infection It is also a documented side effect of the lipid-lowering drugs statins and fibrates.Elevation of creatine kinase in...
of the pupils. Treatment of this poisoning is purely symptomatic. In the case of convulsions, rapid resuscitation in an intensive care unit is necessary. Coriamyrtin have also pharmacological action.
The honeydew
Honeydew
Honeydew may refer to:* Honeydew , a cultivar group of melon* Honeydew , a sugar-rich sticky substance secreted by aphids and some scale insects* Honeydew, California, a town* Bunsen Honeydew, a fictional character from The Muppet Show...
from redoul is also toxic.
Uses
Traditionally leaves of redoul were intensively collected for his tanninTannin
A tannin is an astringent, bitter plant polyphenolic compound that binds to and precipitates proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids.The term tannin refers to the use of...
s content for tanning and dyeing purposes.
During medieval period ecclesiastical institutions, lords, royalty have clearly sought to establish some royalties on that resource, the samples are being especially on the distribution and sale of material first. These uses are due to the wealth of Coriaria spp tannin, particularly concentrated in the stem bark and root, but also present in leaves, where they coexist with yellow dyes chemical group of flavonoids. These tannins are part of the group of hydrolyzable tannins, such as gall
Gall
Galls or cecidia are outgrowths on the surface of lifeforms caused by invasion by other lifeforms, such as parasites or bacterial infection. Plant galls are abnormal outgrowths of plant tissues and can be caused by various parasites, from fungi and bacteria, to insects and mites...
tannins. The chemical composition of redoul thus makes a tanning substance, capable of transforming animal skins recently flayed leather, material rot resistant, flexible and relatively impermeable, a widespread use in many industries. Moreover, the well known chemical reaction of tannins with iron salts, producing black precipitates, is the basis for the manufacture of some ink
Ink
Ink is a liquid or paste that contains pigments and/or dyes and is used to color a surface to produce an image, text, or design. Ink is used for drawing and/or writing with a pen, brush, or quill...
s used since the Middle Ages and is also used to dye it black or gray variety of textiles. Until the mid-fourteenth century, the material was the subject of extensive trade between the north of Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
and Languedoc
Languedoc
Languedoc is a former province of France, now continued in the modern-day régions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées in the south of France, and whose capital city was Toulouse, now in Midi-Pyrénées. It had an area of approximately 42,700 km² .-Geographical Extent:The traditional...
.
It is also used as an ornamental plant
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
.