ABSTRACT
Botanists have had almost as much trouble identifying the source of muira puama as zoologists have experienced in locating the Loch Ness monster. Although the existence of the plant (unlike that of the monster) is beyond dispute, it was once thought to derive from Liriosma ovata Miers or, perhaps, Acanthea virilis (nomen nudum). Finally, scientists identified it as the stem-wood and root of two Brazilian shrubs, Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. and Ptychopetalum uncinatum Anselmino. Both are members of the family Olacaceae.1 However, all of the aforementioned species are offered in the herb trade as muira puama.
