Davilla kunthii
A. St.-Hil.
(c) Neptalí Ramírez Marcial, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Neptalí Ramírez Marcial
(c) Eduardo Dalabeneta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) ariel_delgado, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Roots, Stems - water
The roots are eaten raw. Water from the stems is also consumed.
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant.
Central America, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, South America,
How to Identify
A tropical tree in the Dilleniaceae family where the roots and stem water are edible.
Medicinal Uses
The plant is antiseptic and tonic. An infusion is used as a treatment for back pain. The leaves and stems are boiled with water and used as a beverage, for treating impotence or as a treatment for back pain. The wood and the leaves are boiled, and the water drunk as an analgesic for back pain. The sap is used as abortive. The wood is used as an aphrodisiac. The bark is used to disinfect the umbilical cord of newborn babies.
Other Uses
The tough, flexible stems are used for tying the framework of native huts. The heavy, very rough leaves contain much silica and are often used like sandpaper, and also for cleaning pots and dishes. A black dye is obtained from the bark.
Names & Synonyms
Chaaco, Chaparo, Chaparro, Cipo-caboclo, Hejuco de agua, Kwagi, Lambrador, Lengua de vaca, Levisa, Oregano de marte, Paujil chaqui, Saragosa, Si-hob, Yojueme
References (3)
- Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 195
- Kelloff, C. L., et al, 2011, Smithsonian Plant Collections, Guyana: 1995–2004, Smithsonian Contributions to Botany No. 97. p
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 299
