Abelmoschus esculentus (L - the University of Maine at Fort Kent

Kermath, Bennett and Pulsipher - Food Plants in the Americs
PORTUGUESE: bombonassa, chila, jipijapá, lucativa, xila
SPANISH: alagua, api-ttara, atadero, bombonaje, cestillo, chidra,
guachibán, guachiván, hiraca, iraca, jipi, jipijapa, junco, kuskin,
lucaica, lucatero, lucua, murrapo, nacumas, naguala, oropo, paja
toquilla, palma de jipijapa, palma de sombrero, palmilla, porto
rico, portorrico, sabalet, soso, sombonaza, toquilla, toquillo
USES/NOTES: Young leaf shoots (nacumas in Spanish), young
inflorescences, and rhizomes are eaten locally. Leaf fiber is used
to make Panama hats, brooms, mats, baskets, etc., and for roof
thatch. Also medicinal. Ecuador is the world’s leading producer for
commercial fiber. In parts of the Yucatán the plant’s fibers are
crafted in caves – often dug near dwellings – to maintain optimal
temperature and humidity.
NATURAL RANGE: Central America, perhaps first cultivated in Panama,
introduced and escaped in some warm regions
REFERENCES: Adams 1972, Bennett 1992, Bennett et al. 1992, Bristol
1961, Cid 1978, Duke 1986, Duke and Vásquez 1994, Kermath (notes),
Kunkel 1984, Naranjo 1991, OAS 1973, Rehm and Espig 1991, Soukup
1970, UFA/NYBG n.d.
Carnegiea gigantea (Engelm.) Britton & Rose [syn. Cereus giganteus
Engelm., Pilocereus engelmannii Lem. nom nov., P. giganteus
Rumpler]
FAMILY: Cactaceae (cactus)
ENGLISH: giant cactus, saguaro cactus, sahuaro cactus
PORTUGUESE: mandacaru
SPANISH: saguaro, sahuaro
USES/NOTES: Large, red to purple fruits are consumed raw, cooked,
dried, preserved, or juiced. Seeds are ground into flour or made
into a buttery paste used on tortillas, and are an edible oil
source. Juice is made into a fermented beverage. Also, the largest
of all cacti, to over 20 meters.
NATURAL RANGE: Mexico and the Southwestern U.S.
REFERENCES: Accorsi et al. n.d., Britton and Rose 1963, Facciola 1990,
Mabberley 1987, Martin et al. 1987, Yanovsky 1936
Carpinus caroliniana Walter [syn. C. americana Michaux]
FAMILY: Betulaceae (birch) or Carpinaceae (carpinus)
ENGLISH: American hornbeam, blue beech, blue hornbeam, ironwood,
musclewood, water beech
SPANISH: carpe, palo de barranco
USES/NOTES: Small ribbed nutlet may be eaten parched. Also an
attractive understory tree with fine, deciduous foliage and an
interesting muscled trunk. Hard wood has been used for tool
handles.
NATURAL RANGE: Eastern U.S., wet woods
REFERENCES: Bourke et al. 1987, FNAEC 1997, Kermath (notes), Mabberley
1987, Martin et al. 1987
DRAFT - DO NOT DUPLICATE OR DISTRIBUTE
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