Ptychopetalum

Ptychopetalum is a genus of two species of flowering plants in the family Olacaceae (not to be confused with the Oleaceae or olive family), native to the Amazon rainforest. The indigenous name for the genus is Muira Puama, "potency wood". The species are shrubs or small trees growing to about 14 feet in height. Its leaves are short-petioled, up to 3 inches in length and 2 inches in breadth light green on upper surface, dark brown on lower surface. The inflorescences consist of short axillary racemes of 4 to 6 flowers each. The root is strongly tough and fibrous, internally light brown with thin bark and broad wood, has a faint odor, and tastes slightly saline and acrid.