See text Ptychopetalum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Olacaceae, native to the Amazon rainforest.

Indigenous name for the genus include marapuama, muirapuama and mirantã, translating roughly to 'potency wood'.

[1][2] The species are shrubs or small trees growing to about 14 feet (4.3 m) in height.

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.

[3] Ptychopetalum olacoides has been studied for treatment of dark pigmentation around the eyes.