Macana: Aiphanes (C); Guilielma (C); Pyrenoglyphis (C)
Macana real: Guilielma (C)
Macano: Chlorophora (P); Diphysa (P)
Macano amarillo: Diphysa (P)
Macarata: Lonchocarpus (C)
Mace: Myristica (E)
Machari : Rheedia (C,P); Symphonia (C)
Machete vaina: Bauhinia (C); Erythrina (P)
Macho: Tetrathylacium (P)
Machunat: Musa (Cu)
Macias: Myristica (S)
Maciega: Paspalum (C)
Macondo: Cavanillesia (C)
Macreleaf: Conostegia (B)
Macuelizo, Macuil, maquilis, macuilez, macuiligua, maculis, maculiz, prieto: Tabebuia
Macuiro: Aspidosperma (C)
Madeira vine: Andredera (C)
Madera de aega: Urera (P)
Madera negra : Gliricida (CR,P)
Madre de cacao: Gliricidia (S)
Madreselua: Lonicera (CR)
Madriado, madrial: Gliricidia (N)
Madronita: Dendrostylis (C)
Madrono: Alibertia (CR,P); Amaioua (P); Calycophyllum (S); Escallonia (CR); Pogonopus (D); Rheedia (P)
Madrono de comer: Alibertia (CR,P)
Madupuru: Artocarpus (Cu)
Madura platano: Phyllanthus (C); Sciadodendron (C)
Maduraverde: Chrysophyllum (C)
Mafafa: Colocasia (C)
Magepa: Bignoniacea (Cu); Cuna dye plant (cf. Arrabidaea chica)
Magnolia: Magnolia (CR); Taulauma (P); Vochysia (CR)
Mago: Hernandia (S)
Mahajo: Casearia (C)
Mahoe: Hibiscus (P)
Mahogany: Swietenia (E)
Mahogany, bastard: Carapa (E)
Maicilla: Anthurium (CR); Sorghum (CR); Tripsacum (S)
Maidenhair fern: Adiantum (P)
Maiz de agua: Victoria (C)
Maiz negrito: Tournefortia (CR)
Maiz pepo: Euterpe (S); Syagrus (C)
Maiz de perro: Pernettia (C); Phytolacca (C)
Maiz tostado: Cochlearia (C); Randia (C)
Majagua: Apeiba (CR); Hibiscus (S); Mutingia (C); Pseudobombax (C); Xylopia (CR)
Majagua colorado: Trema (C)
Majagua gallina: Andira (C); Chlorophora (E); Lonchocarpus (C)
Majagua de Indio: Eschweilera (P)
Majagua melada: Heliocarpus (C)
Majagua de playa: Hibiscus (CR)
Majaguilla: Cassia (C); Daphne (C); Helicteres (P); Heliocarpus (P); Muntingia (P); Trema (D)
Majaguita: Pavonia (CR); Trema (C)
Majaguito: Muntingia (C)
Majaguito de playa: Hibiscus (C)
Majaguo: Pachira (C)
Majaio: Casearia (C)
Majajo: Casearia (C)
Majanjo: Muntingia (C)
Majao: Heliocarpus (C)
Majomo: Lonchocarpus (C)
Makeka: Bixa (Cu)
Malabar-plum: Eugenia (E)
MALACHRA spp. Borraja (P); Kwala tumat (Cu); Malva (P). This highly regarded medicinal plant
is made into a tea for stomachache among the Bayano Cuna and for fever among the Tupisa Choco.
One enterprising Negro witch doctor among the Maje Choco follows an injection of antibiotic with
leaves of malva and epsom salts for venereal disease. If his injections faile to cure bronchitis, he
resorts again to the malva leaves mixed with those of cepa de caballo, siempreviva, balsa, and
guarumo blanco, accompanied by a message of vaporrub, alcohol, and children's urine. Western
Panamanians in Darien use a Malva tea and aspirin to treat colds. Malva leaves are often used in
baths for pregnant women. La Nueva Negroes use the leaf infusion for bilious afflictions.
Malachuite: Chomelia (CR)
Malagano: Apeiba (C); Leuhea (C)
Mala gente: Oreopanax (CR)
Malagueta : Guatteria (P); Xylopia (CR)
Malagueta hembra: Xylopia (P)
Malagueto macho: Xylopia (P)
Malagueto montana: Virola (P)
Malagueto prieto: Guatteria (W)
Malama: Leopoldina (C)
Malambito: Vochysia (C)
Malambo: Chamaedorea (C); Croton (C); Geonoma (C)
Mala mujer: Fittonia (C)
Malanga: Xanthosoma (S)
Malangay: Colocasia (C)
MALARIA: An acute infectious fever-producing disease. Treated with Acacia, Anacardium,
Caesalpinia, Capsicum, Coffea, Elephantopus, Momordica, Morinda, Musa, Neurolaena,
Parkinsonia, Scoparia, Schultesia, Simba, Simarouba, Smilax, Sterculia, Tithonia, Trichilia, Urera.
Mala sombra: Guapira (P); Waltheria (P)
Malay apple: Eugenia (E)
Malibu: Astrocaryum (C); Posoqueria (C)
Malibu muyo pavo: Palicourea (C)
Malinche: Caesalpinia (C)
Mallow, country: Abutilon (E)
MALPIGHIA PUNICIFOLIA L. Cereo (P); Grosella (P). The acid fruits are used in jellies and jams.
Malva: Malchra (P); Turnera (C)
Malva aspera: Malachra (C)
Malva blanca: Malvastrum (C); Waltheria (P)
Malva macho: Malachra (P)
Malva morado: Malva (C)
Malva de olor: Pelargonium (CR)
Malavavisco: Lavatera (C)
MALVAVISCUS ARBOREUS Cav. Pape (P); Quesito (C) . The fruit is sweet and edible.
It is an important honey plant.
MALVAVISCUS POPULLIFOLIUS Presl. Manzanilla (S); Papito de monte (P). The insipid fruit is
sometimes eaten, and the leaves are said to alleviate acute stomachache.
Malvecino: Lonchocarpus (P)
Mama: Manihot (Cu)
Mamacillo: Quercus (P)
Mama Juanita: Muehlenbeckia (C)
Mamar: Coussapoa (Cu)
Mamarron: Scheelia (C)
Mamecillo: Lucuma (P)
Mamey: Calocarpum (P); Mammea (S); Pouteria (P)
Mamey de Cartegena: Mammea (P)
Mameycillo: Calocarpum (C); Pouteria (P); Quercus (P); Sloanea (P)
Mameycillo blanco: Guarea (P)
Mameycillo colorado: Sloanea (P)
Mameyito: Lucuma (P)
Mamey de tierra: Calocarpum (P)
Mamey oloroso: Prunus (P)
Mamito: Dialyanthera (C)
MAMMEA AMERICANA L. Mamey (E,S); Mamey de Cartagena (P); Mameyo (Ch); Mammi (Cu)
. Ripe fruits are eaten raw or jellied; green fruits are jellied. The seeds, reputedly
poisonous, are toxic to insects, fish, and chickens. The latex is used to extract chiggers, and to kill
ticks, parasites, and insects.
Mammey apple: Mammea (E)
Mammi: Mammea (Cu)
Mamo: Dialyanthera (C)
Mamon: Lucuma (CR); Melicoccus (P)
Mamoncillo: Melicoccus (C)
Mamon cotopris: Talisia (C)
Mamon de leche: Sideroxylon (C)
Mamon de mico: Talisia (C)
Mamon de monte: Talisia (C)
Mamon de tigre: Sideroxylon (C)
Manaca: Euterpe (P); Oenocarpus (C); Scheelia (CR)
Managus, Maragua: Poulsenia (P)
Manangolo: Randia (C)
Manata: Brosimum (C)
Mancha: Virola (D)
Manchador: Vismia (C)
Mancha-mancha: Miconia (P); Vismia (C)
Manchador: Guarea (C)
Mandarina: Citrus (CR)
Mandiba: Dioclea (C)
Mandiya: Siparuna (C)
Mandu: Lagenaria (Cu)
Mandus: Vismia (C)
Mangabe: Didymopanax (P); Pourouma (P); Sciadodendron (P)
Mangalango: Xylopia (N)
Mangalito: Trichilia (C)
Mangana: Lafoensia (P)
MANGE: A contagious skin disease of hairy animals. Treated with Cassia, Prioria.
Mangel: Escallonia (C)
MANGIFERA INDICA L. Mango (E,Cu,S) . Widely cultivated in Panama, the renowned
mango tends to seed itself easily, although fruits from spontaneous seedlings may have the flavor
of turpentine. The mango, besides being eaten as a ripe fruit, is sued as follows in India. When
green, the stone is extracted, the fruit halved or sliced, and put in curries, made into brine
pickles, said to taste like olives, made into preserves by boiling and cooking in sugar, boiled
and strained with milk and sugar made into a custard known as mango-fool, sundried and
subsequently used to add acidity to certain curries, when very young cut into small pieces, mixed
with salt, sliced peppers and milk to form a tasty salad. When ripe, it is made into curries and
salads like above, the juice is squeezed out, spread thinly on plates and allowed to dry into
a cake, the seeds, removed from the woody husk, may be boiled with potherbs eaten roasted, or
ground to form a flour, which tends to induce constipation. Cubans substitute mangoes for squash,
eat fried mangoes, mango fritters, mango omelets, and if there is rice, then rice with mangoes.
Young flowers and newly unfolded leaves are said to be edible but could be dangerous to sensitive
people. The sap may cause a rash like poison oak. Nonetheless, gum from the trunks is eaten in
India, and is used for mending pottery. The twigs and leaves, used to clean the teeth, are said to be
beneficial to the gums, while the bark is said to be useful for toothaches. The astringent stomachic
bark is also used for internal hemorrhages, bronchitis , and catarrh. The resin is used
for cracked feet, ringworm, and other fungi, syphilis, and to induce sweating. Smoke from the
burning leaves is believed to cure various throat disorders, from asthma to hiccups. Dried flowers
are used to treat gleet. Green fruits are considered anticholeric (baked and mixed with sugar and
taken internally and also rubbed over the body), antidysmenorrheic, antiscorbutic, astringent, and
diaphoretic. Roasted green fruits are dissolved in sugar water and taken internally to prevent
sunstroke and they may be just rubbed on the body. Ripe fruits are considered diuretic, laxative, and
unguent, and the gum is used to treak scabies; the seeds are anthelmintic, antiasthmatic,
antimenorrhagic, antidysesnteric, and unguent. A gruel made of the seeds is taken internally for
bleeding piles. The wood is favored for making shovels for working in the Salinas around
Aguadulce.
Mangle: Avicenna (P); Rhizophora (P); Symmeria (C)
Mangle de agua: Bravaisia (CR,P)
Mangle amarillo: Picramnia (C)
Mangle blanco: Bravaisia (CR,P); Laguncularia (P); Trichilia (C)
Mangle bobo: Languncularia (C)
Mangle caballero: Rhizophora (S)
Mangle de colorado: Rhizophora (S); Tovomitopsis (P)
Mangle de Buenaventura: Pelliceria (C)
Mangle dulce: Trichilia (C)
Mangle garbancillo: Conocarpus (C)
Mangle gateador: Rhizophora (CR)
Mangle humo: Muellera (C)
Mangle marequita: Conocarpus (CR); Languncularia (CR)
Mangle de montana: Clusia (C)
Mangle montanero: Tovomitopsis (P)
Mangle de monte: Laplacea (P)
Mangle negro: Avicennia (P); Conocarpus (C,CR)
Mangle pinuela: Conocarpus (P); Pelliceria (CR,P)
Mangle de sabana: Rapanea (P)
Mangle salado: Avicennia (CR,P); Rhizophora (P)
Mangle salsa: Avicennia (CR)
Mangle de la sierra: Capparis (C)
Mangle sito: Trichilia (C)
Mangle torcido: Conocarpus (P)
Manglillo: Ardisia (C); Chaunochiton (CR); Chrysochalmys (C); Citharexylum (P); Heisteria (CR); Rapanea (P); Ternstroemia (P)
Mango de mono: Vitex (P)
Mangosteen: Garcinia (E)
Mangotin: Unidentified Anacardiaceae (P)
Mangrove, black: Avicennia (E)
Mangrove, button: Conocarpus (E)
Mangrove fern: Acrostichum (E)
Mangrove, pineapple: Pelliceria (E)
Mangrove vine: Rhabdadenia (E)
Mangrove, white: Laguncularia (E)
Mangue: Attalea (C)
Manguena: Solanum (CR)
Mangujito: Muntingia (C)
Mani: Arachis (S); Caryocar (C)
MANICARIA SACCIFERA Gaertn.: Monkey-cap palm (E); Cabeza de Negro (P); Guagara (C);
Palma de Jicara (C). The spathes are used as hats and the leaves are used for thatch (!). The fruits
are eaten by pigs and other frugivorous mammals. The juice is used for curing colds and asthma.
Mani-cuni: Mauritia (C)
MANIHOT ESCULENTUS Crantz: Cassava (S); Mama (Cu); Yuca (S). Cassava, supposedly native
in Brazil, is widely cultivated in the tropics for its edible roots. Since some varieties contain
hydrocyanic acid, they must be processed before utilization. They may be boiled and eaten like
potatoes, or grated to yield the crude tapioca or cassava starch which can be dried and pounded to
make cassava cakes, which may be baked or fried like corn cakes. Such cakes, especially burned
or charred ones are used as the for a beer in the West Indies, the cakes are partially chewed mixed
with boiled dreg water to ferment. Raw Cassava starch is also fermented as an intoxicant. The
poisonous or bitter cassava is rendered harmless after prolonged boiling and forms the basis of the
West Indian pepper pot. Cassava is mixed with coconuts to form a staple in Africa, and it is
frequently converted into cassava chips by sun drying. The chips keep well but must be boiled to
be safe. The leaves, containing 7% protein serve as a potherb in Africa. Yurumanguy
Indians eat the leaves. Cassava does not keep well and is best taken from the garden to the pot.
Broken cassava stems or crushed leaves are supposed to repel driver ants. Latex from the stem has
been used like eye-drops for conjunctivitis. Stewed and pulped leaved are applied to tumors. A
spoonful of yuca flour in half a glass of water is Costa Rica's prescription for the "turistas". The
poison of the bitter cassava is so potent that it was used by the Amerindians to kill their Spanish
presecuters; 36 drops killed one criminal in 6 convulsive minutes.
MANILKARA BIDENTATA Chev.: Balata (E,S) . An excellent timber tree
furnishing edible fruits. The latex was formerly gathered in Panama.
MANILKARA ZAPOTA . v. Royen: Sapodilla (E) Isperhuala (Cu); Nipero (S) . The
fruits are edible. The lates is the source of chewing gum. the tree furnishes good wood.
Manita: Celosia (C)
Manito de oso: Jungia aceroides (C)
Mano: Jungia spp.
Manoco: Oenocarpus (C)
Mano de leon: Sloanea (CR)
Mano de mono: Pachira (P)
Mano de tigre: Maranta (C); Melochia (CR); Neurolaena (C); Oreopanax (C)
Manrubia: Ageratum (C)
Manteco: Brysonima (C); Croton (C); Cupania (CR); Gustavia (C); Laetia (C)
Mantiene-moza: Guilielma
Manto de cristo: Datura (C)
Manto de novia: Solanum (C)
Manto de viuda: Datura (CR)
Manu: Caryocar (CR); Guarea (CR); Minquartia (CR)
Manubo: Llagunoa (C)
Manu negro: Minquartia (CR)
Manwood: Calocarpum (B); Minquartia (B); Vitex (B)
Manzana amarilla: Posoqueria (C)
Manzana estrella: Phyllanthus (S)
Manzana de faiti: Eugenia (P)
Manzana de playa: Crateva (N)
Manzana rosa: Eugenia (S)
Manzanilla : Anthemis (C); Aster (CR); Chrysanthemum (C); Euphorbia (C); Hippomane (S); Matricaria (CR); Rhus (C); Tagetes (CR); Toxicodendron (C)
Manzanillo de playa: Hippomane (S)
Manzanillo platero: Euphorbia (C)
Manzanillo de sabana: Ternstroemia (P)
Manzanita de rosa: Erythroxylum (C); Eugenia (C)
Manzanito de rosa prieta: Eugenia (C)
Manzano morado: Lucuma (C)
Manzano negro: Coussarea (C)
Mapola: Lycoseris (C); Malvaviscus (CR,P)
Mapola de monte: Hybanthus (C)
Mapurito: Petiveria (C); Zanthoxylum (C)
Maquenque: Coccoloba (P); Euterpe (C); Oenocarpus (CR,P); Socratea (CR)
Maquenco: Catoblastus (C)
Maqueno: Musa (C)
Mara: Eleocharis (C)
Maraco: Couroupita (C)
Maragua: Poulsenia (D)
maraja: Bactris (C)
Maranon de Curasao: Eugenia (E,P)
MARANTA ARUNDINACEA L. Arrowroot (E); Juajua (Ch); Sagu (C,P). The root, washed, pounded,
and bleached, yields an edible starch called arrowroot, believed antidotal for poisoned arrows.
Mararale: Aiphanes (C)
Mararaya: Aiphanes (C)
Marare: Aiphanes (C)
Mararo: Protium (C)
MARATHRUM sp. Pasacarne (S). Some species serve as salads and potherbs, and furnish forage for
cattle. The Veraguas name pasacarne means that once cooked it is better than meat.
Maravilla: Helianthus (C); Ferraria (C); Momordica (C); Mirabilis (S); Ruellia (C); Tigridia (C)
Maravilla de Caqueta: Coryanthes (C)
Maraya: Geonoma (C); Pyrenoglyphis (C)
Marbela: Clerodendrum (C)
Maravillosa: Calendula (C)
Marciega: Paspalum (C)
Marcuaja: Passiflora (C)
Mare: Brosimum (C)
Marequito: Conocarpus (CR)
Maretiro: Capparis (C)
Marfil: Amyris (C); Homalium (C); Vantanea (C)
Marfil vegetal: Astronium (C); Phytelephas (C,P)
Margarita: Ardisia (P); Aster (C); Chrysanthemum (C,CR); Zinnia (P)
Margarita amarilla: Coreopsis (CR); Hypochaeris (CR)
Margarita de los campos: Turnera (N)
Margarita grande: Chrysanthemum (CR)
Margariton: Chrysanthemum (C)
Maria: Calophyllum (P); Miconia (CR)
Mariangola: Coutarea (C); Randia (C)
Maria colorado: Calophyllum (CR); Miconia (CR)
Marialopez: Turnera (CA)
Marianunut: Cassia (Cu)
Marigold: Tagetes (E)
Marillo: Symphonia (CR)
Marimbita amarilla: Solanum (N)
Marimbo: Macrolobium (C)
Marion: Bucida (P)
MARIPA PANAMENSIS Hemsl.: Miel Quemada (C). the seeds are imbedded in an edible pulp.
Mariposa: Onicidium (C)
Mariquita: Conostegia (CR); Prunus (CR)
Mariquito: Conocarpus (CR)
Mariquito de marea: Posoqueria (P)
MARISCUS JAMAICENSIS Britton: Sawgrass (E); Serrucho (S). The leaf bases are edible
raw.
Mariti: Mauritia
Marjoram: Origanum (E)
Marking nut: Semearpus (E)
Marnoga: Cookina (Cu)
Mararale: Aiphanes (C)
Marrano: Pteridium (C)
Marubio blanco: Ageratum (C)
Marrucha: Baccharis (C)
MATISIA CORDATA Humb. & Bonpl.: Chupa-chupa (C); Zapote (C,D) . The pulp of the
fruit is edible, but often laden with insect larvae.
Mato: Aristolochia (C); Caesalpinia (P)
MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA L. Manzanilla (C) . Used for a sedative tea.
Matrimonio: Zinnia (CR)
Mauro: CAsearia (P)
Maya: Bromelia (C)
Mayadena: Mamoncillo: Petrea (C)
Mayo: Palicourea (C); Vochysia (CR)
Mayo blanco: Vochysia (CR)
Mazababo: Carapa (C)
Mazamora: Brownea (C)
Me: Capsicum (Ch); Crescentia (CR)
Mechoacan: Ipomoea (CR)
Mecri: Vochysia (P)
Mediagola: Coutarea (C)
Medialuna: Capparis (C)
Megua: Connarus (C)
Mejorana: Origanum (C)
Mekuru: Crescentia (CR)
Melado: Melinis (C)
Melao: Passiflora (C)
MELIA AZEDERACH L.: Chinaberry (E); Jacinto (P); Paraiso (C) . The poisonous fruits,
used to stupefy fish, are eaten by birds. Fermented fruits are poisonous to pigs. The trees are used
as living fence posts in western Panama. The plant is considered purgative and vermifuge.
MELICOCCUS BIJUGATUS Jacq.: Spanish lime (E); Mamon (P); Mamoncillo (C); Quenepa (C)
. The pulp around the sedds is delicious (!). The seed is edible roasted, and used as a
substitute for cassava by Orinoco Indians.
Melocoton: Luffa (C)
Melon: Cucumis (P)
Meloncillo: Passiflora (P)
Melosita: Pavonia (C); Wissadula (C)
MELOTHRIA GUADALUPENSIS Cogn.: Wild cucumber (E); Sandillita (P). The green
fruits are pickled. Ripe fruits, with the aroma of cucumber, are eaten, especially by the Jamaicans.
Membrillo: Cespedezia (P); Clavija (P); Grias (P); Gustavia (P)
Membrillo macho: Grias (P)
Meme: Wettinia (C)
Menta: Hedeoma (CR/ROC)
Meo: Cucurbita (Cu)
Meoparado: Lonchocarpus (C)
Mercolina: Amaranthus (CR)
Merdiera: Byrsonima (CR)
Merey: Anacardium (C)
Mergikualu: Solanum (Cu)
Mescal: Agave (S)
Mesica: Brosimum (N)
Mesquite: Prosopis (E)
Mestizo: Cupania (C); Guarea (C)
Mesusu: Colocasia (Ch)
Metocoy: Colocasia (C)
Mexican wormseed: Chenopodium (E)
Miaparao: Lonchocarpus (C)
Micay: Axonopus (C)
Michinche: Campomanesia (C)
Michineumu: Tabernaemontana (Ch)
Michino: Chrysophyllum (C)
Michu: Sapindus (C)
MICONIA spp.: Joint bush (E); Dos caras (S) . The fruits are mostly edible (!).
Mielcilla: Jaegeria (CR)
Mielilla: Holcus (CR); Melampodium (CR); Plumbago (CR); Sigesbeckia (CR); Trifolium (CR)
Miel quema: Randia (D)
Miel quemada: Maripa (C)
Migi: Musa (Cu)
Migucho: Jessenia (C)
Miguelario: Dialyanthera (P)
MIKANIA CORDIFOLIA Willd.: Guaco
MIKANIA GUACO H.&B.: Guaco (S,C); Bejuco guaco (C). This is reported to be an efficient
snakebite medicine in Panama (!).
MIKANIA MICRANTHA H.B.K.: Falso guaco (C)
MIKANIA PACHYDICTA B.L.Robinson: Guaco (C)
MIKANIA RUIZIANA : Guaco lanoso (C)
Milflor: Clerodendrum (CR); Reseda (C)
MILKTREE: A tree with potable latex. Brosimum, Couma, Lacmellia.
Milkweed: Asclepias (E)
Milkwood: Tabernaemontana (B)
Millo: Lasiacis (P)
Milobano: Eriopsis (C)
Milpesa: Jessenia (C)
Milpesillo: Oenocarpus (C)
Milpesos: Attalea (C); Hura (C); Jessenia (C); Oenocarpus (C)
Miltomate: Physalis (CR)
Mimbre: Salix (C); Tessaria (C)
Mimbrena: Salix (C)
MIMOSAPIGRA L.: Bashful plant (E); Cacin (Ch); Dormilon (S); Kapkwa (Ch); Zarza (S). A
decoction of leafy stems is used as a mouthwash for toothache. the roots are sniffed for head colds.
The fruits are used in eye medicines.
MIMUSOPS DARIENENSIS Pittier: Bulletwood (E); Nispero (S). This is a source of balata gum,
extracted like chicle, and formerly exported from Panama. the wood is used for construction.
Minkra: Cochlospermum (P)
MINQUARTIA GUIANENSIS Aubl.: Manwood (E,J); Criollo (P); Cuajada negro (CR,P); Manu
(CR); Nispero negro (P); Palo criollo (P); Palo de piedra (CR). The strong tough timber lasts for
years in contact with the soil.
MIRABILIS JALAPA L.: Four-o'clock (E); Buenas tardes (P); Don Diego de noche (C); Tabaquillo
(C) . Often cultivated for decoration, the leaves serve as a potherb, and are used as a
catapalsm. The roots are said to be good pig food, and are used as a purgative.
Mirajo: Patinoa (Ch)
Mirame linda: Hibiscus (N)
Mirasol: Tithonia (CR)
Miriti: Mauritia (C)
Mirto: Ligustrum (CR); Murraya (S); Myrcia (CR)
Mis kuebu: Tabernaemontana (Cu)
Mismia: Cleome (C)
Mispinu: Acalypha (Cu)
Mistletoe: Phoradendron (E)
Mistletoe cactus: Rhipsalis (E)
Mochiguiste: Pithecellobium (CR)
Mochilita: Luffa (C)
Moco: Saurauia (CR)
Mocora: Carludovica (P)
Mocuteno: Cassia (C)
Moe: Cucurbita (Cu)
Moenu: Colocasia (Ch)
Mojan: Achatocarpus (C)
Mojau: Ochroma (Ch)
Mojofono: Gossypium (Ch)
Mokantia: Muehlenbeckia (C)
Molenillo: Bactris (C); Chamaedorea (C); Geonoma (C); Iryanthera (C); Kniphofia (CR); Luehea (CR); Quararibea (CR); Rinorea (P)
Molinillo: Luehea (N); Trichilia (N)
Molinok: Pothomorphe (Cu)
Moli ua: Montrichardia (Cu)
MOLLUGO VERTICILLATA L.: Carpetweed (E); Alfombra (CR); . This plant serves as
a famine potherb.
Mombin: Spondias (E)
MOMORDICA CHARANTIA L: Balsam-pear (E); Balsamino (P); Sorosi (J); Sibicogen (C) (Fig.
201). Parboiled leaves are used as a vegetable, said to contain 4.5% protein. Green fruits are also
used as a vegetable, but the seeds are reputedly poisonous. Nonetheless, the seeds are sometimes
sun cured and added to meat dishes. The fruits are used to make lather. The pulp around the seeds
is edible. Powdered, the plant is used to treat leprosy and malignant ulcers. Sap from the leaves and
fruits is used for colic and worms. Jamaicans in Panama make a tea from the fruit to cure fevers and
to induce vomiting. In Los Santos a decoction of the leaves mixed with a yellow malva is used to
alleviate insect bites and itch (!). The root is regarded as aphrodisiac. Tea made from the leaves is
regarded as febrifugal by Darienitas. Las Perlas, the bitter juice is taken as a malaria preventative.
Around Sautata, it is as highly regarded as quinine for curing malaria. The fruits are used as a soap
substitute.
Mompala armarilla: Hibiscus (P)
Monca blanca: Piper (CA)
Monca prieta: Cyphomandra (P)
Mondongo: Brosimum (C)
Monenillo: Bactris (C)
Monito: Abelmoschus (C)
Monja blanca: Piper (C)
Mondonguito: Zizyphus (C)
Monkey-apple: Dialium (E); Licania (E); Posoqueria (B)
Monkey cap palm: Manicaria (E)
Monkey comb: Apeiba (E)
Monkey tambrin: Inga (E)
MONOLENA CORDIFOLIA Triana: Chuico (C). Macerations are used in the Choco for bilious
disorders.
MONSTERA DELICIOSA Liebm.: Ceriman (E); Anona pina (P); Blalzo (C) . The fruits
are edible raw but may contain painful crystals. A decoction of the plant is used in arthritis. Aerial
roots are sometimes used in basketry.
Montano: Coussapoa (CR); Hillia (CR)
MONTANOA LEHMANII Blake: Arboloco (C)
MONTANOA OVALIFOLILA Sch. Bip.: Upacon (C)
MONTANOA QUANDRANGULARIS Sch. Bip.: Arboloco (C)
Monte negrito: Cassia (N)
Montenegro: Aster sinesis (C)
Montes de oc: Chamaesenna (C)
Montogoyo: Xanthosoma (Ch)
MONTRICHARDIA ARBORESCENS Schott: Aninga (C); Arracacho (C); Castano (D); Chupaya
(C); Moli-ua (Cu); Puppua (Cu). the toasted fruits are edible. Cuna roast the nuts in ashes, peel them
and eat them. They fed the leaves to pigs. Parboiled leaves are poulticed for erysipelas. The acrid
sap is applied to ulcers. Motorists ascending the rivers of Darien favor the castano side to the cativo
side because there is less current on the slip-off side, usually occupied by the castano backed up by
Mora. The Montrichardia thickets are often cleared to make way for lowland rice cultivation.
Lengths of the poles about 2 feet long are often used to line the bottoms of dugouts! In the Choco
it is being studied for pulp fiber potential. In Paraguay the starchy root is used for food.
Moonflower: Calonyction (E)
Mopa-mopa: Elaegia (C)
Moquillo: Oreopanax (CR); Saurauia (CR,C)
Mora: Blakea (C); Chlorophora (S); Conostegia (C); Leandra (C); Miconia (C); Ossaea (C); Rubus (S); Tococa (C)
Mora de caballo: Lantana (CR)
Moradita: Eupatorium humile (C)
Moradito: Cuphea (C)
Morado: Peltogyne (P); Diospyros (C)
MORA OLEIFERA Ducke: Alcornoque (D); Nato (C). This brackish water swamp species occupies
about 40,000 hectares in the Choco, and is used for railroad ties. Biochemical analysis of this
seemingly poisonous seed, the largest dicotyledonous seed, might point toward a commercial
potential.
Morcate: Schweirinia (C); Tibouchina (C)
Moreno: Lafoensia (P)
Moriche: Mauritia (C)
Moramatizadilla: Lantana (C)
Morillo: Brosimum (CR); Chlorophora (CR); Trophia (P)
MORINDA spp.: Indian mulberry (E); Painkiller (J) . Green fruits of the Asian Morinda
citrifolia L. are used in curries. Ripe fruits are eaten by people and hogs. Young leaves are used as
a potherb, containing 4.5-6% protein. The seeds of some varieties are roasted and eaten. A red dye
is obtained from the bark. The leaves and bark of a species cultivated in Ailigandi are used to treat
malaria (!). In the West Indies, hot or wilted leaves are pressed on painful parts of the body; the
leaves are poulticed to headaches. Crushed leaves in lard or camphor are placed on the head for
head colds and neuralgia.
MORINGA OLEIFERA Lam.: Horseradish tree (E); Angela (C); Jacinto (P); Marango (CA);
Narango (CA) . The leaves, flowers, pods, and twigs of this honey tree are used as
potherbs. The roots are used like horseradish, and are eaten as a vegetable in Africa. The leaves, 7-10% protein, are cooked with ash of plantain to make soup; crushed leaves are applied to snakebites,
wounds, and ulcers, and are used for the extraction of guinea worms. Fruits, probably green, are
made into pickles. The young seeds are substituted for green peas; fried seeds are said to taste like
ground nuts. The bark, used for toothache, is believed to be abaortifacient, antineuralgic,
antirheumatic, antiscorbuitc, diuretic, rubefacient, and stimulant. In the Philippines, it is believed
that if the chewed root be put on a snakebite, the poison will be spread. Oil expressed from the seeds
can be used for salads, cooking, and illumination. Roots are used to treat sathma, dropsy, dyspepsia,
earache, palsy, epilepsy, fevers, gout, hysteria, rheumatism, and spasms. A root-bark infusion is used
in certain yellow fever treatments. Macerations of the younger portions are used to make an
invigorating shampoo.
Moriseco: Bidens (CR)
MORISONIA AMERICANA L.: Naranjito (C) . The scarce pulp of the fruit is sweet and
edible.
Morita: Chlorophora (C)
Morning glory: Ipomoea (E)
Morocolo: Lonchocarpus (C)
Morro: Crescentia (N)
Morrocoy: Banara (C); Pholodendron (C)
Mortino: Clidemia (C); Hesperomeles (C); Rapanea (C); Vaccinium (C)
Mortino falso: Pernettia (C)
Mosquerito: Croton (C)
Mosqueta: Philadelphus (CR)
Mosqueta de montana: Guettarda (CR); Philadelphus (CR)
Mosquero: Croton (C)
Mosquiro: Croton (C)
Mosquitero: Croton (C)
Mosquito de montana: Guettarda (CR)
MOSQUITO REPELLENT: A substance that repels mosquitoes. Avicennia, Cocos.
Mosquito wood: Mosquitoxylum (J); Posoqueria (B)
Mostaza: Brassica (P)
Mostrenco: Randia (CR)
Mostrenque: (D). An unidentified armed vine that furnishes potable water.
Motas: Pseudobombax (P)
Mote: Tournefortia (C)
Mother-in-law plant: Dieffenbachia (E)
Mother-of-cocoa: Gliricidia (E)
Motilon: Eurya (C); Hedyosmum (C); Hieronyma (C)
Motocoy: Philodendron (C)
Mountain jasmine: Stemmadenia (B)
MOURIRI sp.: Arracheche (P); Cierito (P); Kenna (P); Solacra (P) . The fruits are edible,
and the wood is good for fence posts.
Moza: Solanum (Cu)
Mozote: Bidens (S); Desmodium (P); Pavonia (P); Triumfetta (S)
Mozote deradilla: Cosmos (S)
Mozotillo: Bidens (S); Priva (N)
Muco: Couroupita (C)
Mucuna: Swartzia (C)
MUCUNA PRURIENS DC.: Cowhage (E); Demar Pirkok (Cu); Ojode Buey (P); Ojo de Venado
(C); Pica-Pica (P) . The green pods are cooked like stringbeans. Mature seeds, considered
aphrodisiac, have served as a flour source in some Mucuna species. The roots are used to treat
cholera. If the hairs get in eyes, wash with olive oil or fat. Hairs, taken internally as a vermifuge, are
reportedly used externally as an aphrodisiac. The seeds are used for necklaces and buttons.
Darienitas pocket them as good-luck charms.
Mucuteno: Chamaesenna (C)
Muela: Zanthoxylum (C)
Muelle: Schinus (C)
MUELLERA MONILIFORMIS L.f. . The fruits are used as a fish poison in Darien.
Muelo: Drimys (CR)
Mulasapi: Cornutia (Cu)
Mulato: Senegalia (C); Swartzia (C)
Mulberry: Morus (E)
Muneca : Bunchosia (C); Cordia (CR,P); Cornutia (CR); Crateva (CR); Hasseltia (N)
Muneca amarilla: Cordia (W)
Mung bean: Phaseolus (E)
MUNTIGINIA CALABURA L.: Panama berry (E); Acuruco (C); Capulin (CR); Chirriador (C);
Chitato (C); Chitoto (C); Majaguillo (P); Majaguito (C); Majanjo (C); Pasito (P); Periquito (C);
Tapabotija (C) . The fruits, edible raw, are widely eaten by birds. The tough bark is used
as cordage and to make bark cloth. The antispasmodic flowers are used to sooth nerves and
headaches.
Murcielago: Benthamantha (C); Passiflora (S); Cordia (C); Cornutia (P); Pentagonia (C)
Murara: Carludovica (C)
Murrapo: Carludovica (C)
Murrapo: Carludovica (C); Heliconia (C)
MURRAYA EXOTICA L.: Satinwood (E); Azahar de la India (P); Azahar de la Novia (P); Jasmin de
Arabica (P); Jazmin (P); Mirto (P). The twigs are used to relieve toothache, and flowers are used
for funeral wreaths in Darien (!). Macerated leaves are packed into sore teeth.
Murta : Ardisia (CR); Calyptranthes (CR); Coccoloba (C); Eugenia (CR,P); Myrica (CR)
Murucutu: Couroupita (C); Lonchocarpus (C)
Muruti: Mauritia (C)
MUSA spp.: Banana (E); Plantain (E); Guineo (P); Platano (P). Several varieties of banana and
plantain are cultivated in Panama; the banana or guineos, Musa sapientum L.; the plantain or
plantano, Musa paradisiaca L.; and the dwarf banana, Musa acuminata Colla. All are widely planted
in the tropics, and some varieties tend to persist after cultivation. The banana is known to the Choco
as amponimia, to the Cuna as uamadun; the plantain is known to the Choco as pata, to the Cuna as
maci. Among the Bayano Cuna and the Choco, bananas and plantains are the staples. With other
ethnic groups in Darien, rice is the staple. Among the Cuna, green bananas and
plantains are baked with the skins in hot ashes. Also the fruit is boiled and mashed into
a dough to which game or fish is often
added. Bananas are eaten raw, while plantains are cooked, steamed, boiled, baked, or fried.
Plantains and bananas can be dried for trips. Ripe fruits may be peeled and sliced, dried and
preserves. Green fruits may be scalded, peeled, sliced sun dried, ground, and sifted to form a flour
used for making mush and breads. Such flours keep well and are said to be good for diarrhea,
dysentery, and dyspepsia. Flower heads of many varieties are cooked and eaten in curries. The inner
parts of the stem are eaten, diced and boiled, or dried and made into a flour. Young shoots
have served as vegetables. Terminal buds of the inflorescences and immature fruits are said to be
used in curries. Young unopened buds in the center of the stem may be eaten raw or cooked.
Rhizomes of certain varieties are said to be cooked and eaten. The unripe pulp of some varieties is
parched as a coffee substitute. Antiscorbutic ashes of the plants may be used as a substitute for salt.
When there is too much salt in a stew, Darien Negroes add the peel of green plantain for about 5
minutes to take out the salt. Vino de banano is fermented in the Antilles. A similar liquid is prepared
in the Congo, where it has the reputation of preventing malaria. Choco make a beer from plantain
called masato. Flour of dried green plantain, cooked with coconut milk and flavored with ginger or
pineapple rind, plus sugar, is called mazamorra de platano. Chocao is made from ripe plantain,
coconut milk, ginger, and sugar. In Africa, ripe fruits are peeled and put in a piragua lined with
Imperata. Then they are trampled and the liquid poured off. The residue is washed and the washing
mixed with the juice in a clean canoe, covered with banana leaves and allowed to ferment with flour
ground from Sorghum, forming a sort of beer. Banana leaves, waterproof after scorching, are more
pliable and serve in construction of emergency shelters, beds, clothing, etc. Green, they make
effective temporary umbrellas and sunshades, and are used to wrap food for roasting. Choco porters
effectively plug up leaks in their piraguas by pounding the plantain fruit into the hole (!). Sap of the
plantain, considered alexeritic, is sometimes used for snakebite. Young leaves are applied to burns
as a cooling poultice. The roots are considered alterative, anthelmintic, antibilious, antidiabetic,
antidotal, antiscorbutic, and styptic, and are used in a powder for anemia and venereal diseases.
Juice of the leaf and bark is considered as an antidote for opium and arsenic overdoses. Flowers are
considered antidiabetic and antidysmenorrhoeic. The ashes of the plant are used as an antacid for
acidity, colic, and heartburn. Green fruits, considered antiflatulent and astringent, are powdered, and
used for diaabetes and dyspepsia. A Colombian witch doctor, living among the Choco on the Rio
Maje, grates the green fruits of the guineo bicho and applies the powder to bleeding wounds for 4
days. This witch doctor's most wasteful practice, as told by Dra. Arauz, is his anemia treatment.
Grated green plantano is mixed with chicken eggs, wine, nutmeg, and salt. If taken internally, this
might alleviate anemia, but instead, it is applied to the patient's wrists, ankles, and stomach, where
the "doctor" supposes it will be absorbed. A steady diet of ripe plantain is said to aid bilious
disorders, diabetes, and dysentery; cooked fruits serve as an unguent, also as an ointment for
haemoptysis and syphilitic eruptions. Ashtma sufferers might try an old Asian recipe; daily express
and take the juice of a small banana seedling, root and all, with a spoon of sugar. In Cuba, the sap
is applied to chronic sores. Elsewhere the ashes of the plant are bound over the ulcer with banana
leaves. Present Salaqui Choco believe the fruits can cause spots on the face. Cuna males drink
astringent juice from young plants to give them strength. Infants are bathed in it. The tahiti plantain
is supposed to be the source of a deadly poison for darts.
Musgo: Tradescantia (C)
Muskmelon: Cucumis (E)
Musk okra: Abelmoschus (E)
Mustard: Brassica (E)
Mutisia: Solandra (C)
MUTISIA CLEMATIS L.f.: Clavellino, Clematide, Clavellina de bejuco, Bejuco clavellivo (C)
MUTISIA GLABRATA Cuatr: Clavellina (C)
Muy: Mauritia (C)
Mygonette: Lawsonia (E)
MYRCIA SPLENDENS DC.: Punch berry (E); Mirto (CR); Ojo menudo (S); Pimento (P) (Fig.
210). The fruits are edible but astringent.
MYRISTICA FRAGRANS Houtt.: Mace (E); Nutmeg (E); Macias (S); Nuez Moscada (S) .
Nutmeg and mace are spices occasionally used as narcotics. An edible butter is derived from the
fruits. Fresh husks of the ripe fruits are a source of jelly. Nutmeg, considered aphrodisiac, digestive,
stimulant, and sometimes narcotic, is rarely cultivated in Panama and Colombia.
Myrobalan: Phyllanthus (E)
MYROXYLON PEREIRAE Klotzsch: Balsam of Peru (E); Balsamo (S); Paila (Cu); Pidoquera (Ch);
Tache (C) . The gum, regarded as stomachic and expectorant, is used in ointments and
perfumes, and to treat ashtma, catarrh, rheumatism, and venereal diseases. The tree yields a good
lumber, some exported to the United States. Seeds are used to flavor aguardiente in Guatemala.
Grated bark is used to treat the umbilical scars of the Colombian Choco, and to treat female
hemorrhages. Panama Choco use the aromatic bark as an underarm deodorant (!). Perhaps this is
the Cuna paila or Panama palo santo, an aromatic wood used to make necklaces and toilet water,
rubbed over the foreheat to treat headache. The seed is mixed with various black dyes to stabilize
them.