Tico Ethnobotanical Dictionary

M
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z



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: Erythrina (E,J)

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)

Malcasada: Asclepias (P,C)

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)

Manca-caballo: Prosopis (C,P)

Mancha: Virola (D)

Manchador: Vismia (C)

Mancha-mancha: Miconia (P); Vismia (C)

Manchador: Guarea (C)

Manchineel: Hippomane (E,P)

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 rojo: Rhizophora (C,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: Mangifera (E,S)

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: Eugenia (CR,S)

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)

Marango: Moringa (P,CR)

Maranon: Anacardium (E,S)

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)

Marihuana: Cannabis (E,S)

Marijuana: Cannabis (E,S)

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)

Merique: Crescentia (C,D)

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.



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