Botanical Overview
Leren (Calathea allouia) belongs to the Marantaceae family. Limited but reliable traditional records indicate this plant has recognized medicinal applications in one or more healing traditions. This species belongs to the Marantaceae family, a group of flowering plants.
General Description
The name “allouia” is derived from the Carib name for the plant. Lerén is a minor food crop in the American tropics, but was one of the earliest plants domesticated by pre-historic Amerindians in South America.
Family Context
The Marantaceae family is widely distributed. Notable medicinal members include:
- Arrowroot — 16 documented uses
Geographic Distribution
Leren has been recorded in 10 countries and territories worldwide, including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, and others.
Active Compounds
Phytochemical research has identified 20 compounds in this species, including a diverse array of phytochemical classes (see the Complete Chemical Inventory below for the full list).
The identified compounds include the following categories:
- Alkaloid: nitrogenous compounds with diverse pharmacological activities