Etnobotnica Medicinal

Tico Ethnobotanical Dictionary

List of Abbreviations

B--Bocas del Toro

C--Colombian Spanish

CA--Central American Spanish

Ch--Not defined, but in text

CR--Costa Rican Spanish

Cu--Cuna

D--Darien Spanish

Db--Choco

CR/ROC--Costa Rican data from Rafael Ocampo

E--English

J--Jamaican

N--Nicaraguan Spanish

P--Panamanian Spanish

S--Spanish in general

W--Western Panama

!--Personally gathered information

Tico Ethnobotanical Dictionary

A

Aba: Bombacopsis (); Pithecellobium ()

Ababol: Papaver ()

Abaca: Musa ()

Abanico: Celosia ()

Abanico chino: Amaranthus ()

Abarco: Cariniana ()

Abataque: Zantholoxylum ()

Abebe: Renealmia ()

Abejon: Cassia (); Stanhopea ()

ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS Moench. Okra (); Algalia (); Candia (); Gombo (); Gumbo (); Guicombo (); Lagarto (); Naju (). . Young okra is good as a vegetable or a pickle; roasted seeds are eaten on toast, sometimes used as a coffee substitute. The fruits are considered antispasmodic, used to treat bites of venomous animals.

ABELMOSCHUS MOSCHATUS Medic. Musk okra (); Wild okra (); Algalia (); Almizclillo (); Lagarto (). . Cultivated elsewhere for the musk-scented seeds, used in perfumery, and as a fiber plant. In Panama, the plant is apparently cultivated only as an ornament.

Abetoa: Coleus ()

Abgi: Unidentified cultivated shrub used by the Bayano Cuna to stain hammocks black ().

Abgigastuet: Indigofera ()

ABRASIVE: A coarse-leaved plant used for washing dishes, Curatella, Luffa, Miconia, Pavonia, Solanum, Waltheria.

Abraza palo: Ficus ()

Abrojito: Tribulus ()

Abrojo: Alternanthera (); Cenchrus (); Kallstroemia (); Sloanea (); Triumfetta ()

ABRUS PRECATORIUS L. Crab's eye (); Rosary pea (); Jequerite (); Ojo de cangrejo (); Peronilla (,). . Raw seeds are very poisonous, have served as a contraceptive (4 to 6 white or black seeds are taken daily for several days after each menstruation). Seeds are used as necklace ornaments. Powdered seeds are used as a snuff for headache; boiled seeds used as an aphrodisiac. Roots used as a licorice substitute, chewed as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, for sore throat, and for rheujmatism. Macerated leaves are said to be styptic and to remove freckles. The leaves taste sweet, and a decoction of the leaves and roots is widely used for cought, colds, and colic.

Abugi: Indigofera ()

Acabu: Zanthoxylum ()

Acacia: Acacia (); Leucaena ()

Acacia de aguijote: Parkinsonia ()

Acacia de Catharino: Prosopis ()

ACACIA FARNESIANA Willd. Sweet acacia (); Aromo (); Pela (); Una de Cabra (). (Fig. 4). The gum is used as a famin food. Flowers are put between linens to scent them and to protect them from moths. Flowers are attractive to bees. Crushed fruits yield an astringent used in conjunctivitis, diarrhea, etc.; also used to mend broken dishes. Bark is considered febrifugal and is tied around the joints by West Indians to alleviate rheumatism.

ACANTHOCEREUS PITAJAYA Dugand Ex Croizat. Dildoe (); Dildo espinoso (); Pitajaya (). Fruits of this, as of all cacti, are safe to sample, avoiding spines and minute hairs that are present on several varieties. the plant is diuretic. These cacti are fairly common in thorn forests of the Azuero Peninsula ().

ACANTHOSPERMUM AUSTRALA Kuntze. Cancer de loma ().

ACANTHOSPERMUM HISPIDUM DC. Pacado mortal, espuela de caballo, ericito playero, cacharro, el trejo ().

Acapalti: Iva ()

Acapro: Tecoma ()

Acedera : Oxalis (); Trifolium ()

Acedejo: Thevetia ()

Aceite: Calophyllum (); Copaifera (); Phyllanthus ()

Aceite maria: Calophyllum ()

Aceite de palo: Podocarpus ()

Aceituno: Guettarda (); Humiriastrum (); Simarouba (,,); Vitex ()

Aceituno negrito: Simarouba ()

Acerola: Malpighia ()

Acesiva: Zamia ()

Ache: Clarisia ()

Acheri: Phyllanthus ()

Achicoria: Elephantopus (); Eryngium ()

Achihuite: Bixa ()

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM L. Yarrow (); Colchon de pobre (). . Leaves used occasionally as a soup vegetable, or as tea or tobacco substitutes. Aerial parts are regarded as depurative.

Achiote: Bixa ()

Achiote de monte: Sloanea ()

Achiotillo: Caryocar (); Fuchia (); Lindackeria (); Mayna (); Vismia

Achira: Canna ()

Achira de monte: Alpinia ()

Achirilla: Curcuma ()

Achon: Xylopia ()

Achoncha: Cyclanthera ()

Achote: Bixa ()

Achote de monte: Ampelocera ()

Achotillo: Banara (); Vismia ()

Achueriala: Lippia ()

ACHYRANTHES ASPERA L. Prickly chaff-flower (); Rabo de gato () . Leaves are eaten as a vegetable . The seeds, though emetic, have served as famine food, also used to treat hydrophobia and snakebite. The branches serve as a toothbrush and the ashes are used for salt. Macerated roots are used on scorpion stings.

ACHYROCLINE SATUREOIDES DC. Juan Blanco ()

ACROCLINIUM ROSEUM Hook. Inmortales dobles ()

ACROCOMIA ANTIOQUENSIS Posada-Arango. Corozo (); Corozo a molado (); Corozo caucano (); Corozo grande (). The seeds are a source of oil, and the leaves a source of fiber. The flowers are said to be pectoral.

ACROCOMIA PANAMENSIS Bailey. Prickley palm (); Coyai (); Palma de vino (); Pacora (). The seeds are a source of oil, relished by cattle. Sweet sap of this and related species are used to make wine. Root of A. mexicana is regarded as a cure for diabetes.

ACROSTICHUM AUREUM L. Mangrove fern (); Esnargan (); Helecho de manglar (). Young leaves and fiddleheads are edible raw or cooked. The leaves are emollients, sometimes used for thatch; rhizomes vulnerary. The Cuna use the young fiddleheads to extract fish bones from the throat (). The plant is used as a medicinal bath for infants ().

Acuapar: Hura ()

Acuasia: Quassia ()

Acuruco: Mutingia ()

ADANSONIA DIGITATA L. Baobob (,) . The young leaves are eaten as a pot-herb and in soups. The bark and leaves are eaten asa famine food; powdered, they serve as a substitute for salt and pepper. The seeds are febrifugal and are made into a gruel; roasted seeds are applied to aching teeth. Shoots of germinating seeds are edible.

Adelpha: Petrea ()

ADENANTHERA PAVONINA L. Redhead (); Coralitos () . The leaves are served as famine food. Macerated leaves are used in gout and rheumatism; husked seeds are said to have an agreeable taste. Powdered seeds hasten suppuration of boils and cure prickly heat. The bark is used for washing clothes and hair, and the wood was formally the source of a red dye.

ADENOSTEMMA LAVERIA Kuntze. Dona Juana (). Used in the Choco to wash wounds, and around Sautata regarded as a snakebite cure.

ADIANTUM sp. Maidenhair Fern (); Culantrillo de piedra (). This fern is regarded as an emmenagogue and expectorant.

Adonis: Duranta ()

Adonis blanco: Duranta ()

Adonis morado: Duranta ()

Adorate: Pisonia ()

Adyanya peso: Trichilia ()

AECHMEA MAGDALENAE Andre ex Baker. Pingwing (); Pita () . The acid fruits are edible raw or cooked, better for making beverages. Fibers in leaves are used for making rope and methods for commercial production are being studied in the Choco.

AEGIPHILA MARTINICENSIS Jacq. Contra culebra (); Juan de la Verdad () (Fig. 10. The plant is considered alexeritic and aphrodisiac.

Afaja: Trichilia ()

Agallo: Caesalpinia ()

Agapanto: Agapanthus ()

AGERATUM CONYZOIDES L. Hierba hemostatica (); Retentina (); Mejorana (); Chiba (); Manrubio, Yerba de chino; Marrubio blanco, Yerba de chivo, Mastranto . A valued hemostatic in Colombia, used elsewhere to treat venereal diseases.

Agra: Vitia ()

Agraz: Gouania (); Vitis (); Coccoloba ()

Agrecejo: Gossyopiospermum ()

Agu: Allium ()

Agua libia: Senecio macrophyllus ()

Aguacate: Persea ()

Aguacate asca: Styrax ()

Aguacate del monte: Nectandra ()

Aguacatia: Panopsis ()

Aguacatilla: Hernandia (); various Lauraceae (); Persea ()

Aguacatillo cordillero: Beilschmiedia ()

Aguacaton: Ocotea (,); Persea ()

Aguacharaco: Protium ()

Aguacolda: Sobralia ()

Aguadija: Odontoglossum ()

Aguadulce: Palicourea ()

Aguaje: Chelyocarpus (); Mauritia ()

Aguakkalat: Eryngium ()

Aguama: Bromelia ()

Aguarras: Ocotea (); Tetragastris ()

Aguatillo de tierra firma: Grammadenia ()

Agujade arrea: Casearia (); Xylosma ()

Agujilla: Ladenbergia ()

Ahumada: Cassia ()

Ahuyama: Cucurbita ()

Aikra: Gliricidia ()

Aili: Avicennia (); Conocarpus (); Laguncularia (); Rhizophora ()

AIPHANES CARYOTIFOLIA Wendl. Chascara (); Corozo de chascara (); Mararay (); Palma de chascara (). The seeds are oily and edible.

Air Plant: Bryophyllum ()

Air Potato: Dioscorea ()

Aje de monte: Stemmadenia (); Thevetia ()

Ajenjibre: Zingiber ()

Ajenjibrillo: Paspalum ()

Ajenjillo cimarron: Gnaphalium ()

Ajenjo: Artemisia (,)

Aji: Capparis (); Capsicum (); Caryocar (); Clarisia (); Coccoloba (); Diplotrophis ()

Aji canella: Drimys ()

Ajicillo: Heisteria ()

Ajicito: Toxicodendron (); Capparis ()

Aji de monte: Stemmandenia (); Thevetia ()

Ajillo: Capparis (); Capsicum (); Caryocar (); Nothoscordum (); Petiveria (,)

Ajito: Capparis ()

Ajo: Allium (); Caryocar (); Cassipourea (); Parkia ()

Ajonjoli: Sesamum ()

Akee: Blighia ()

Ala de angel: Begonia (); Bignonia ()

Alacran: Heliotropium (,)

Alacrancillo: Heliotropium (); Parosela ()

Alagua: Carludovica ()

Ala de murcielago: Passiflora ()

Alampana: Lantana ()

Alasant: Ormosia ()

Alazano: Calycophyllum (,)

Albaca: Ocimum ()

Albahaca: Ocimum (,)

Albahaca cimarrona: Salvia ()

Albarco: Cariniana ()

Albarica: Aiphanes (); Pyrenoglyphis (); Desmoncus ()

Albarina: Centaurea cyanus ()

Albarracin: Bocconia ()

Alcabu: Zanthoxylum ()

Alcanfor: Cinnamomum ()

Alcaparra: Capparis (); Cleome ()

Alcaparro: Adipera ()

Alcareto: Aspidosperma (); Sickingia ()

Alchoncha: Sechium ()

Alcornoque: Sechium ()

Alcornoque: Bowdichia (); Licania (); Mora (,); Ormosia (); Terminalia ()

Alcotan: Baccharis (); Cissampelos (); Piper ()

ALEURITES MOLUCCANA Willd. Candlenut tree (); Nuez de India () . The nuts, stimulant and sudorific, are edible after roasting; strung as candlenuts.

ALEXERITIC: A substance to counteract infection or poison. Acalypha, Achyranthes, Aegiphila, Albizia, Anacardium, Aristolochia, Asclepias, Caesalpinia, Cassia, Chiococca, Cissampelos, Clavija, Cocos, Coffes, Dracontium, Entada, Euphorbia, Fevillea, Gustavia, Hibiscus, Jatropha, Lantana, Mikania, Mimosa, Musa, Nicotiana, Piper, Pluchea, Quassia, Sapindus, Simaba, Tabebuia, Tamarindus, Thevetia, Vernonia, Xylopia.

Alfaje: Trichilia ()

Alfajillo: Podocarpus (); Trichilia ()

Alfenique: Dialium()

Alfombra: Mollugo ()

Alfombrillo hediendo: Lantana ()

Alforjon: Fagopyrum ()

Algalia: Abelmoschus ()

Algarrobo: Cassia (); Ceratonia (); Hymenaea (); Pithecellobium (); Prosopis ()

Alagodon: Cochlospermum (); Gossypium ()

Algodoncillo: Baccharis (); Hibiscus ()

Algodon lechero: Calotropis ()

Algodon de monte: Leuhea (); Thespesia ()

Algodon de seda: Calotropis ()

Algofar: Scleria ()

ALIBERTIA EDULIS A.Rich. Guayabita de monte (); Lagartillo (); Madrona de comer (); Torompito (); Trompo (); Wild guava (). The fruits are eaten by all frugivores, including humans.They are also used by children to make tops.

Alicito: Toxicodendron ()

Aligo: Alnus (); Tessaria ()

Alisito: Toxicodendron ()

Aliso: Alnus (); Vernonia (); Tessaria integrifolia ()

Alita: Albizia ()

Allagua: Phytelephas ()

Alligator apple: Annona ()

Alligator pear: Persea ()

Alligator weed: Philoxerus ()

ALLIUM spp. Garlic (); Onion (); Agu (); Aguakalat (); Ajo Cebolla (); Dawawat (); Palu ; Pida () . Presently unknown in the wild, onion has been used more than 4000 years. Garlic, A. sativum L., is regarded as antiseptic, bactericidal, carminative, cordiment, diaphoretic, emmenagogic, expectorant, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic, and vermifugal; it is used in home remedies for bronchitis, colds, earaches, hysteria, nervous conditions and toothache. The juice can be used to mend china. Oil from the seeds is applied externally to rheumatics. Garlic oil, mixed with cebo de Cuba, is used like a mustard plaster in Panama. Onions are eaten raw or cooked and used for seasoning pickles, curries, stews, "sancochos", etc.(). They are used as a home remedy for bronchitis, catarrh, colic, dropsy, fever, flatulence, hangover, and scurvy. They are regarded as aphrodisiac, carminative, emmenagogic, and soporific when used internally. They are used externally to treat earaches and insect bites. Maje Choco women, having difficulty delivering, receive a stomach massage with cooking oil mixed with oniion, garlic, oregano, and hierba poleo (perhaps Kallstroemia). Some Indians believe they also repel snakes; the odor repels some humans, so it might actually repel snakes. My Cuna guide from Nargana rubbed his legs with sliced onion to "prevent snakebite" (). In Western Panama, onions are placed in the eaves of bohiuos as a bat repellent (); a bat and snake repellent would be useful morale builders for the newcomer in Panama.

Almacigo: Bursera ()

Alma negra: Bertholettia (); Dussia (); Sweetia (); Swartzia ()

Almendro: Andira () Buchenavia (); Dipteryx (,); Terminalia ()

Almendro americano: Terminalia ()

Almendro de la India: Terminalia ()

Almendron: Attalea (); Caryocar ()

Almirajo: Patinoa ()

Almizcle: Hedyosmum ()

Almizclillo: Hibiscus ()

Almond: Dipteryx (); Terminalia ()

Almoradua: Eupatorium ()

Almoraduz: Eupatorium inulaefolium ()

Almorrana: Alternanthera ()

ALOE VERA Burm. F. Barbados aloe (); Sabila (). The yellow juice is a famous burn remedy. Crushed leaves are used as a cataplasm for boils and ulcers; its yellow resin is cathartic, emmenagogic, insecticidal, vermifugal; used by mothers to make their nipples distasteful to weaning children. Plant used for asthma and ulcers.

ALOPECIA: The state of being bald. Treated or prevented with Achras, Calocarpum, Capraria, Cocos, Colocasia, Giricidia, Guazuma, Gynerium, Persea, Stachytarpheta, Sterculia.

Alousia: Lippia ()

Alpiste: Phalaris ()

ALSOPHILA RUFA Fee. Tree Fern (); Tasi (). The pith, like a slimy potato, is used as a survival food in the Choco.

Altamica: Chrysanthemum ()

Altamisa: Ambrosia cumanensis ()

Altasara: Phytolacca ()

ALTERATIVE: A substance used empirically to alter the course of a disease favourably. Calotropis, Centella, Erechtites, Guaiacum, Lepidium, Musa, Phytolacca, Portulaca, Rumex, Solanum, Thespesia, Tragia.

ALTERNANTHERA SESSILIS R.Br. Sanguinaria () . the leaves serve as a famine food.

Alucema: Artemisia sodiroi ()

Aluk: Cedrela ()

Alum: Alnus ()

Alumbre: Tabebuia ()

Alverja: Pisum ()

Amamor: Zanthoxylum ()

Amancal: Thevetia ()

Amancay: Thevetia ()

Amancayo: Plumeria ()

Amansa mujer: Prioria (,)

Amansapeon: Psoralea ()

Amapola: Lycoseris crocata (); Malvaviscus (); Papaver (); Tagetes ()

Amapola amarilla: Hibiscus ()

Amapola mexicana: Argemone ()

Amapolilla: Malvaviscus ()

Amaranth, blood: Amaranthus ()

AMARANTHUS spp. Amaranth (); Pigweed (); Bledo (,); Calalu () . the seeds serve as a grain, and the leaves as a potherb . The plant finds its way into home cures for venereal diseases.

Amargo: Aspidosperma (); Centrolobium (); Coussarea (); Coutabea (); Palicourea (); Psychotria (); Simaba (); Simarouba (); Vatairea (); Welfia ()

Amargon: Taraxacum ()

Amargoso: Eupatorium angustifolium ()

Amarillo: Aniba (); Bucida (); Centrolobium (); Lafoensia (); Nectandra (); Terminalia ()

Amarillo carbonero: Oncoba ()

Amarillo fruto: Lafoensia ()

Amarillo guayaquil: Centrolobium ()

Amarillo negro: Lafoensia ()

Amarillo real: Terminalia ()

Amarillon: Terminalia ()

Amarrabollo: Meriania ()

Amarradiablo: Schnella ()

Amata: Ficus ()

Ambuca: Piptadenia (); Poponax ()

Ame: Inga ()

AMBEICIDE: A substance which kills ameba. Anacardium, Carica, Cephaelis, Chenopodium, Couma.

Amolao: Acrocomia ()

Amores casados: Asclepias ()

Amor seco: Acaena ()

AMYRIS ELEMIFERA L. Torchwood (); Tea (). The wood is highly flammable; good for torches.

Anabaptista: Vismia ()

ANACARDIUM EXCELSUM Skeels. Wild cashew (); Caracoli (); Espave (); Pinuwala (). The fruit is eaten by most frugivores, including man. The bark is used as a fish poison; a favorite wood for dugouts in Darien and San Blas (). Patino notes that the fruits are consumed as a bread stuff, and the trees are used for cacao shade trees.

ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE L. Cashew (); Maranon (); Uaipinu (); Merey () . The cashew, an excellent food source, is widely cultivated and naturalized in the savannahs of Panama. The swollen stalk of the cashew nut, termed the "apple", is more in demand among Latins than the nut. The antiscorbutic "apple" may be eaten raw, but the hull is astringent, and the nut must be avoided until after it has been roasted (). Cashews belong to the poison oak family, and hypersensitive people might be wary of the whole cashew plant. The wood was responsible for the "swizzle-stick epidemic" in Georgia in 1958. When roasting the nut, one should carefully avoid the smoke, as it is very caustic. The nuts, once roasted, are very nutritious, having high fat, protein, and vitamin A content. Roasted nuts in Asia are mixed with palm sugar and coconut meat to form a sweetmeat. In Indonesia, the nuts are fried in coconut oil. In Africa, they are boiled in soups. The "apple" juice may be fermented to form alcoholic beverages or vinegars, or made into jelly. The young leaves are eaten raw with rice in Java and Malaya. Cuna Indians shave bark from this and Spondias to make a tea, sweetened to taste, for asthma, colds, and congestion. This is followed by drinking the juice from banana stems to restore strength and contain 4-5% protein. The bark of some species of Anacardium is used as a fish poison, and the flesh of the fish is not rendered toxic by the process. The juice exuding from incisions in the bark is used as an indelible ink. An acrid oil in the hull of the fruit has served as an anesthetic. The seed oil is believed to be amebicidal and alexeritic, and is used to treat gingivitis, malaria, and syphilitic ulcers. The fruit is reputedly antiscorbutic. The juice of the fruit is used to treat haemoptysis. The sap is said to be discutient, fungicidal, and repellent. A gargle of the leaf decoction is used for sore throat. Gum from the bark is said to be obnoxious to insects. Similar uses are reported for cardol. the oil has been used to kill mosquito larvae in Los Santos. A tea is made from the pinkish inner bark, effective in diabetes (). In Cuba, resin used in cold treatments.

Anaco: Erythrina ()

Anaja: Maximiliana ()

ANALGESIC: A substance for killing pain. Bocconia, Indigofera, Piscidia, Tabebuia, Thevetia, Zanthoxylum.

Anamu : Petiveria ()

ANANAS BRACTEATUS Schult. Pina de Playon (). The sweet fruits are edible.

ANANAS COMOSUS Merr. Pineapple (); Osi (); Pina (); Shiju (). Pineapple is cultivated in various parts of the lowlands of Panama, those from Taboga Island having been highly praised. Darien negroes cook the rind with rice, cream and sugar to make 'chicha de pina'. The rind is also an ingredient in 'mazamoro de platano'. Pineapples produced at Curiche in the humid Choco Department are excellent(), although pineapples are probably adapted better to semiarid areas such as the Pearl Islands(). Pineapple fares best in acid, organic, and well-aerated soils. the juice of the fruit is regarded as antiscorbutic, Cholagogic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogic, refrigerant, and useful in jaundice. The juice of the leaves is regarded as anthelmintic, ecbolic, emmenagogic, and purgative. Young vegetative buds are an ingredient in a medicine for respiratory ailments in Choco children. An excellent long-lasting fiber is obtained from the leaves.

ANAPHRODISIAC: A substance to reduce sexual desire. Coffea, Dieffenbachia, Nymphaea, Peperomia.

Anatto: Bixa ()

Anbuque: Poponax ()

ANDIRA INERMIS L. Cabbagebark (); Almendro (); Arenillo (); Carne asado (); Cocu (); Congo (); Dividive (); Pilon (); Quira () . The poisonous seeds of this honey tree are anthelmintic, febrifugal, purgative, and vermifugal. The bark is used as a barbasco, narcotic, purgative, and vermifuge. Smoke from the wood is said to be injurious to the eyes. The wood is best suited for heavy construction.

ANEMIA: A deficiency in red corpuscles. Musa.

Angarilla: Chloroleucon ()

Angela: Moringa ()

Angelina: Andira (); Genipa ()

Angelito: Caesalpinia (); Genipa ()

Angel trumpet: Datura ()

Angero: Enterolobium ()

Angolito: Ziziphus ()

Angucha: Bejaria ()

Anguito: Rauvolfia ()

Angustora del Brasil: Esenbeckia ()

ANIBA PERUTILIS Chachajo (); Comino (). An esteemed fine-grained timber species in Colombia, very resistant to termites.

Anil: Indigofera ()

Anileto: Hamelia ()

Anime: Casearia (); Dacryodes (); Protium (,); Polymnia (); Tetragastris ()

Anime blanca: Protium ()

Aninga: Montrichardia ()

Anis: Pimpinella ()

Anise: Pimpinella ()

Anisillo: Hedyosmum (); Pectis (); Piper (); Tagetes ()

Anjera: Enterolobium ()

Annatto: Bixa ()

ANNONA CHERIMOLIA Mill. Bichichinejo (); Chirimoya (); Usisuti (). Once classified as one of the three best tropical fruits, they take from five or more years to bear fruit.

ANNONA GLABRA L. Pond apple (); Anon de puercu (); Corazon cimarron () . The fruits are edible, raw or preserved. Light wood, especially of the roots, is used for cork and floats.

ANNONA MURICATA L. Soursop (); Guanabana (); Nejo (); Suiti () . The edible ripe fruits, a good source of vitamins B and C and phosphorus, are made into jellies, preserves, and a delicious beverage (). Some people chew them up and expectorate the plp in soups. The seeds are insecticidal and piscicidal. A leaf decoction is used to expel head lice. The leaves are made into a tea consumed by the negroes of Darien and Puerto Obaldia. The flowers and leaves are used in the Truando sector to combat kidney problems.

ANNONA PURPUREA Moc. & Sesse. Guanabana torete (); Guanacona (). The fruits, with the flavour of pawpaw, are believed by some Indians to induce fever. Darien Negroes insert leaves in their beds to keep spirits of the dead from molesting them.

ANNONA RETICULATA L. Custard apple (); Anon (); Anon injerto (); Anon pelon (); Corazon () . The fruits are edible; attract turtles and fish when they fall into swamps. The roots are used against epilepsy. The bark is tonic and astringent.

ANNONA SQUAMOSA L. Sugar apple (); Anon () . The edible fruits are applied to contusions as a cataplasm. The leaves serve as a barbasco, as a poultice to heal ulcers and boils, and to kill lice and extract guinea worms. Crushed leaves, applied to a fainted person's nostrils, are said to hasten revival. On the other hand, in Colombia, leaves are placed under children's pillows so they will sleep better(). The seeds are insecticidal, and said to kill lice.

ANODYNE: A substance for killing pain. Bocconia, Carica, Coleus, Datura, Etada, Jessenia, Myroxylon, Persea, Piscidia, Tamarindus, Zanthoxylum.

Anon: Annona (); Rollinia ()

Anona: Annona (); Rollinia ()

Anon de azucar: Annona ()

Anoncito: Rhamnus ()

Anoncito de tierra firma: Psychotria ()

Anon domestico: Annona ()

Anonillo: Desmopsis (); Guatteria (); Rollinia ()

Anonillo de cerro: Annona ()

Anon pelon: Annona ()

Anon de puerco: Annona ()

ANREDERA BASELLOIDES Baill. Maderia vine (); Arroz con coco (). The leaves are eaten as a potherb. The tubers are edible.

Anta: Corozo (); Phytelephas ()

ANTHELMINTHIC: Killing certain types of worms. Achras, Allamanda, Allium, Ananas, Andira, Annona, Asclepias, Carapa, Carica, Cassia, Chenopodium, Coffea, Cyperus, Lawsonia, Mammea, Mangifera, Melia, Momordica, Musa, Passiflora, Pentaclethra, Plumeria, Portulaca, Punica, Sechium, Simarouba, Spigelia, Vernonia.

ANTHEMIS NOBILIS L. Manzanilla de Castilla ()

ANTHURIUM ACUTANGULUM Engl. A tea of the plant is used by the Choco for whooping cough.

ANTHURIUM RIGIDULUM Schott. Maicillo (). The purple fruits are said to be edible.

ANTIBILIOUS: A substance used to treat disorders of the gall bladder. Ananas, Annona, Caesalpinia, Cecropia, Cicer, Desmodium, Eclipta, Euphorbia, Imperata, Momordica, Musa, Polypodium, Solanum, Terminalia, Urera, Vetiveria.

ANTICYSTITIS: Clitoria, Hymenaea.

ANTIDIARRHETIC: A substance for counteracting diarrhea. Acacia, Adenathera, Anacardium, Annona, Avicennia, Bidens, Brownea, Bursera, Byrsonima, Capraria, Carapa, Casuarina, Celosia, Chrysobalanus, Coccoloba, Cocos, Coffea, Crescentia, Cupania, Drepanocarpus, Elephantopus, Emilia, Erechtites, Euphorbia, Faramea, Haematoxylum, Hernandia, Hymenaea, Hyptis, Ipomoea, Jacobinia, Laguncularia, Mangifera, Melia, Mucuna, Musa, Nectandra, Piscidia, Pistia, Pitcairnea, Psidium, Psoralea, Quassia, Randia, Scoparia, Sida, Simarouba, Spathodea, Spondias, Stachytarpheta, Terminalia, Tourneforita, Triumfetta, Trophis, Waltheria, Wigandia, Ximenia, Zornia.

ANTIDOTAL: A substance used to counteract a noxious substance. Clitoria, Coffea, Colocasia, Gustavia, Maranta, Musa, Saccharum.

ANTIDYSMENORRHEIC: A substance used to relieve painful menstruation. Chrysobalanus, Cissampelos, Dieffenbachia, Mangifera, Morinda, Musa, Ocimum, Persea, Turnera.

ANTIECBOLIC: A substance to counteract an abortifacient. Cissampelos.

ANTIEMETIC: A substance to prevent vomiting. Cocos, Ximenia.

ANTIEPILEPTIC: A substance to prevent or alleviate convulsive seizures. Achras, Andira, Annona, Bixa, Caesalpinia, Calocarpum, Cedrela, Cestrum, Coleus, Cordia, Echinodorus, Eugenia, Indigofera, Parkinsonia, Pothomorphe, Sapindus.

ANTIGONON LEPTOPUS Hook. & Arn. Coral vine (); Bellisimia (); Cadena de Amor (); Colacion (); Coralillo (); Coralito (); Enredadera () . The tubers are said to be edible when cooked.

ANTIHEMORRHAGIC: A substance used to prevent excessive bleeding. Brownea, Caesalpinia, Cajanus, Cecropia, Chrysophyllum, Cissampelos, Citrus, Coccoloba, Cocos, Commelina, Cyathula, Dendropogon, Entada, Equisetum, Eryngium, Gossypium, Guarea, Guazuma, Mangifera, Melochia, Momordica, Mucuna, Musa, Pithecellobium, Psidium, Psychotria, Punica, Rhizophora, Scoparia, Sechium, Solanum, Swietenia, Tamarindus, Terminalia, Turnera, Urera, Vernonia, Waltheria.

ANTIHEPATITIC: A substance for the diseases of the liver. Achras, Ananas, Annona, Bursera, Carapa, Cassia, Cecropia, Ceratonia, Citrus, Cochiospermum, Desmodium, Eleusine, Equisetum, Escobedia, Guazuma, Hymenaea, Jatropha, Lepidium, Nasturtium, Ophioglossum, Paullinia, Pothomorphe, Pseudelephantopus, Psidium, Quassia, Rheedia, Tamarindus.

ANTINEPHRITITIC: A substance used to ameliorate infection of the kidney. Abrus, Cassia, Citrus, Cucurbita, Cyperus, Equisetum, Guaiacum, Guazuma, Moringa, Paullinia, Poeppigia, Renealmia, Rheum, Solanum, Tabebuia.

ANTINEURALGIC: A substance used to alleviate the pain associated with irritated nerves. Allium, Moringa.

ANTIPERODIC: A substance used to counteract malaria or periodic fever . Caesalpinia, Cassia, Coffea, Lucuma.

ANTIRHEUMATIC: A substance used to alleviate rheumatism (pain, swelling, and deformity of the joints). Abrus, Adenanthera, Allium, Aniba, Annona, Apeiba, Aristolochia, Bramia, Bursera, Cannabis, Carapa, Cardiospermum, Cassia, Chiococca, Chlorophora, Cissus, Clematis, Clusia, Cocos, Coix, Croton, Dendropogon, Dieffenbachia, Dioscorea, Echites, Eupatorium, Guaiacum, Hamelia, Hura, Hymenaea, Hyptis, Ipomoea, Lantana, Melia, Mikania, Moringa, Myroxylon, Ocimum, Parmentiera, Plumbago, Porophyllum, Pothomorphe, Psychotria, Ricinus, Salvia, Siparuna, Steculia, Tamarindus, Trichilia, Urera, Wigandia, Ximenia.

ANTISCORBUTIC: A substance used to prevent scurvy. Allium, Anacardium, Ananas, Batis, Bramia, Celosia, Citrus, Hymenaea, Lycopersicon, Mangifera, Moringa, Musa, Nasturtium, Oxalis, Portulaca, Pothomorphe, Psidium, Sesuvium, Tamarindus.

ANTISEPTIC: A substance used to kill germs. Allium, Anacardium, Cocos, Faramea, Piper, Spondias, Tamarindus, Theobroma.

ANTISPASMODIC: A substance used to alleviate sustained, often painful, contractions of the muscles. Abelmoschus, Adansonia, Annona, Aristolochia, Bocconia, Boerhaavia, Bursera, Calotropis, Cannabis, Capparis, Cassia, Ceiba, Cestrum, Chenopodium, Clavija, Croton, Datura, Dipteryx, Echinodorus, Eclipta, Indigofera, Justicia, Lawsonia, Melia, Moringa, Muntingia, Pandanus, Passiflora, Peperomia, Petiveria, Spondias, Swietenia, Tournefortia, Vernonia.

ANTISPLENITIC: A substance used to alleviate inflammation of the spleen. Carapa, Carica, Cissampelos, Luffa.

ANTITETANIC: A substance used to counteract or alleviate the condition tetanus (tonic spasm of voluntary muscles). Carapa, Enallagma, Swietenia.

ANTIVENEREAL: A substance used to counteract venereal diseases. Amaranthus, Anacardium, Aristolochia, Arrabidaea, Bauninia, Bocconia, Bursera, Calotropis, Capparis, Capraria, Casearia, Cassia, Cecropia, Chamissoa, Chiococca, Cissus, Clematis, Commelina, Conocarpus, Copaifera, Corchorus, Costus, Crescentia, Drepanocarpus, Eichhornia, Elaeis, Entada, Equisetum, Genipa, Geonoma, Gouania, Guaiacum, Hippomane, Ipomoea, Isotoma, Jacaranda, Jatropha, Luffa, Mangifera, Mikania, Musa, Myroxylon, Parsonia, Petiveria, Piper, Piscidia, Pistia, Plumeria, Polypodium, Pothomorphe, Prioria, Protium, Pseudelephantopus, Ricinus, Sabicea, Scoparia, Serjania, Smilax, Solanum, Spondias, Tagetes, Tephrosia, Tetracera, Thespesia, Tournefortia, Trichilia, Turnera, Waltheria, Ximenia.

Anum: Spondias ()

Apamate: Tabebuia ()

Apazote: Chenopodium ()

APEIBA TIBOURBOU Abul. Monkey comb (); Burio (); Cadillo (); Cortezo (); Erizo (); Fruta de piojo (); Guacimo (); Majagua (); Malgano (); Peinecillo (); Peine de mico (,). The fruits, with their numerous oil=rich seeds, are a favorite with frugivores, and might serve as a famine food for man. The bark contains a rough fiber used for rope making. The plant is regarded as a rheumatism cure. It is said to be used for making rafts in Colombia, and has been used for tinder in primitive fire-making.

APERIENT: A mild laxative. Argemone, Clitoria, Hibiscus, Sesamum, Sesbania, Tamarindus.

Apgi: Paullinia ()

APHRODISIAC: A substance which stimulates sexual desire. Abrus, Aegiphila, Allium, Anacardium, Aristolochia, Avicennia, Bambusa, Bixa, Byrsonima, Cannabis, Capsicum, Ceiba, Celosia, Centella, Cocos, Daucus, Desmodium, Dieffenbachia, Drepanocarpus, Elaeis, Eryngium, Gossypium, Hibiscus, Hyptis, Lepidium, Lippia, Momordica, Moringa, Mucuna, Musa, Myristica, Ocimum, Pandanus, Passiflora, Persea, Petiveria, Peperomia, Rhynchosia, Seasmum, Turnera, Typha.

APHTHOSIS: Hoof and mouth disease. Bidens, Byrsonima, Citrus, Euphorbia, Lagerstroemia, Spondias, Tournefortia.

Apio: Apium ()

Apior: Dieffenbachia ()

Apompo: Pachira ()

APOPLEXY: A loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion as a result of obstruction of arterial flow to the brain. Treated with Tamarindus.

Aporromia: Musa ()

Apotocaum: Diffenbachia ()

APPENDICITIS: Inflammation of the appendix. Erythrina.

Aqui: Blighia ()

Arabian Jasmine: Jasminum ()

ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L. Peanut (); Cacahuate (); Mani () . The seeds are edible, raw or roasted; seedlings are also edible. Few, if any, peanuts are cultivated along Route 17. They are cultivated on the Azuero Peninsula and around Unguia for food and oil production.

Aramillo: Lysiloma ()

Arana: Hibiscus (); Dalechampia (); Epidendrum (); Maxillaria ().

Arana-gato: Solanum (); Zanthoxylum ()

Arara: Capparis ()

Arbol de amor: Gliricidia ()

Arbol de balsamo: Myroxylon ()

Arbol de la Cruz: Brownea ()

Arbol de la Brujas: Parmentiera ()

Arbol de diablo: Morisonia ()

Arbol de fuego: Delonix ()

Arbol de lluvia: Samanea ()

Arboloco: Montanoa (); Polymnia ()

Arboloco bogotano: Polymnia pyramidalis ()

Arboloco de Bogota: Montanoa ()

Arboloco hueco: Polymnia pyramidalis ()

Arbol de pan: Artocarpus ()

Arbol de paraiso: Melia ()

Arbol de las perlas: Moringa ()

Arbol de sal: Avicennia ()

Arbol Santo: Jatropha ()

Arbol de seda: Calotropis ()

Arbol de viajero: Ravenala ()

Arbolito: Phyllanthus ()

Arcabuco: Cupania ()

Archucha: Cyclanthera ()

Arco: Tabebuia ()

ARDISIA sp. Fruta pava (); Iskarmas (); Margarita (); Tucuico (); Uvito (). The fruits, with a grape-like flavor, are often gathered and eaten by woodsmen (). Bayano Cuna use the plant medicinally and the berries to stain their bodies ().

Arebalo: Cupania ()

Areng-kra: Clusia ()

Arenillero: Hura ()

Arenillo: Andira (); Catostemma (); Dipterodendron (); Hura (); Leonia (); Ternstroemia (); Weinmannia ()

Arepito: Ampelocera ()

Arepo: Piscicia ()

Argelina: Solanum ()

ARGEMONE MEXICANA L. Prickly poppy (); Cardosanto (). The narcotic weeda are demulcent, emetic, expectorant, laxative, and are used for cancer, itch, and scabies, and applied externally for headache. The seed-oil is used for illumination and soap-making.

Argentina: Cynodon ()

Arguaco: Pera ()

ARISTOLOCHIA ARBORESCENS L. Dutchman's pipe (); Snakeroot (); Flor de culebra (); Mato (). This is a favorite snakebite medicine in Darien. the leaves and/or roots are abortifacient; emmenagogic, febrifugal, sudorific, and are used for chills, colds, dysentery, and venereal disease.

ARISTOLOCHIA MAXIMA L. Cuajilote (). The fruits are edible.

Arito: Phyllanthus ()

Ariza: Brownea (); Maytenus ()

Armanga: Baccharis decussata ()

Arnica: Miconia (); Senecio formosus (); Taraxacum ()

Arnica ceniza: Senecio niveo-aureus ()

Arnica de monte: Trixis radialis ()

Aroma-ieron: Acacia ()

Aromo: Acacia (); Calliandra (); Prosopis ()

Aromo real: Poponax ()

Arponcito: Bidens ()

ARRABIDAEA CHICA Verlot. Bija (). The vine yields a pink dye popular with the island Cuna.

Arracacha: Arracacia ()

Arracache: Vochysia ()

Arracacho: Montrichardia ()

Arracachuelo: Rumex (); Spananthe (); Ranunculus ()

ARRACACIA XANTHORRHIZA Bancroft. Arracacha (); Sacarracacha (). The rhizomes are eaten in stews and soups; also boiled or fried, used to make chichas. The petioles are boiled to make a medicine for a microbe between the toes.

Arracheche: Mouriri ()

Arraclan: Rhamnus ()

Arrapau: Triplaris ()

Arrayan: Eugenia (); Malpighia (); Myrcia (); Myrica (); Myrtus (); Psidium (); Satyria (); Vaccinium (); Weinmannia ()

Arrayancito: Malpighia (); Myrcia ()

Arrecachillo: Myrrhidendron ()

Arrocillo: Echinochloa (); Oryza ()

Arrowhead: Sagittaria ()

ARROW POISON: A substance used to poison arrows. Calotropsis, Dioscorea, Diospyros, Drepanocarpus, Euphorbia, Hippomane, Hura, Lonchocarpus, Mucuna, Paullinia, Pedilanthus, Pentaclethra, Perebea, Petiveria, Piscidia, Strychnos.

Arrowroot: Maranta ()

Arroz: Oryza ()

Arroz con coco: Anredera ()

Artemisia: Ambrosia ()

ARTEMISIA SODIROI Hieron. Alucema ()

Artera: Cassia ()

ARTHRITIS: Inflammation of the articulating surfaces of the joints. Treated with Achras, Bramia, Chiococca, Dioscorea, Ipomoea, Oryza, Polygonum, Trichilia.

ARTOCARPUS ALTILIS Fosberg. Breadfruit (); Breadnut (); Arbol de pan (); Fruta de pan (); Madupura (); Pan de Pepita (); Pantriba () . Breadfruits, the main cargo of the H.M.S. Bounty, are still cultivated in Panama. The seeded varieties are capable of natural regeneration (). Breadfruits of good quality rarely produce seeds and the fruits are eaten, picked before they are ripe, while the pulp is still white and mealy. They are baked, boiled or sliced and "french-fried". Occasionally they may be eaten raw. For storage, it is best to bake or roast, then slice and sun-dry. In some Pacific Islands, they are fermented to form a malodorous paste baked into cakes. Seeds of the seeded varieties are boiled or roasted like chestnuts by the Darien Negroes (). A fiber can be obtained from the bark and thge latex is used for caulking boats. The leaves may be fed to livestock.

ARTOCARPUS INTEGRIFOLIA L. Jackfruit (); Jaca () . The jackfruit or jaca has dozens of sectors, each with one seed, surrounded by a yellow, pulpy mass with a strong odor. The pulp is eaten raw or cooked; or may be fermented to yield an alcoholic beverage with a strong odor and peculiar flavor. The seeds are usually more palatable to the Yankee than the fruits and when roasted have the flavor of chestnuts. Seeds are often ground into flour, each fruit yielding more than a pound of flour. Unripe fruits may be cut up and cooked in stews and soups. Flowering shoots and very young fruits of the jackfruit are also eaten in salads and spicy stews. Young flower clusters are eaten with syrup and agar-agar in java. A milky juice especially prevalent in the fruits, may be used as birdlime to ensnare birds. The juice also is used as a cement. In the Philippines, slices of the ripe fruit are placed in beds to discourage bedbugs.

Arunagatro: Pisonia ()

Arvejas: Pisum ()

Arvellano: Garcia ()

Asca: Styrax ()

Ascae: Desmodium ()

ASCLEPIAS CURASSAVICA L. Bencenuco (); Malcasada (); Milkweed (); Nino muerto (); Pasorin (); Quiebraejo (); Viborana (); Yuquillo () . In Honduras, the milky sap is used as a vermifuge; dried latex is said to induce sneezing. In Panama, it is reported to be a leprosy cure and a vermifuge. The inflorescence is used as a hemostatic and to cure gonorrhea.

Asnaludo: Thibaudia ()

ASPILIA TENELLA Blake. Papunga falsa; Guasquilla ()

Assa: Euterpe ()

ASTER LAEVIS L. Hortensis ()

ASTER MARGINATUS H.B.K. Cerrajita cimarnona, Tavera ()

ASTER SINENSIS L. Montenegro ()

ASTHMA: Condition of the respiratory system associated with continuous difficulty in breathing. Treated with Aegiphila, Allium, Aloe, Bixa, Boerhaavia, Brosimum, Calotropis, Carica, Cassia, Cecropia, Chenopodium, Cissampelos, Coccoloba, Cocos, Coffea, Coleus, Cornutia, Curatella, Datura, Drymaria, Eclipta, Erythrina, Euphorbia, Hymenaea, Isotoma, Lantana, Lecythis, Lippia, Luffa, Mangifera, Manicaria, Moringa, Mucuna, Musa, Myroxylon, Petiveria, Plumbago, Rhizophora, Sapindus, Solanum, Sterculia, Tamarindus, Terminalia.

Astillo: Cedrela ()

ASTRINGENT: A mildly binding substance. Acacia, Anacardium, Annona, Bixa, Crescentia, Hesperomeles, Mangifera, Musa, Myrcia, Portulaca, Psidium, Punica, Sapindus, Terminalia, Zea.

ASTROCARYUM STANDLEYANUM Bailey. Black palm (); Chonta (); Chunga (); Guerregue (); Pejibaye () . The fruits, cabbages, and seedlings are edible (). The spines are flammable, even in wet weather (). The hard wood is used for making bows, arrows, canes, etc. A good fiber is obtained from the leaves.

Astromelia: Lagerstroemia ()

ASTRONIUM GRAVEOLENS Jacq. Conzalo alves (); Ronron (); Tibigaro (); Yamato (); Diomate (); Gusanera (); Potrico (); Quebracha (); Zorro () . The lumber is exported to the United States for plywood; it polishes and works well, and is weather and moisture resistant.

Astrominica: Lagerstroemia ()

Asue: Persea ()

Aswe: Persea ()

Atadero: Carludovica ()

Ataja sanhgre: Bedsleria ()

Atana: Inga ()

Ate: Protium ()

ATTALEA AMYGDALINA H.B.K. Almendron (); Milpesos (); Taparo (). The oily seeds are edible. Young fruits yield a pipa-like beverage ().

ATTALEA COHUNE Mart. Cohune palm (). The cabbage is edible; the fruits are made into sweetmeats, also used for livestock fodder. Seed oil is used for cooking, illumination, and soapmaking. Sap is used for winemaking. The leaves are used for thatch.

Atusara: Phytolacca ()

Auoso: Capparis ()

Auree: Campnosperma ()

Auso: Capparis ()

Australian pine: Casuarina ()

Auyama: Cucurbita ()

Avellana: Eupatorium (); Carica ()

Avelluelo: Vochysia ()

Avena: Avena ()

AVENA SATIVA L. Oats (); Avena (). The oats make an excellent cereal, rarely, if ever, cultivated in lowland Panama.

AVERRHOA BILIMBI L. Bilimbi (); Grosella carambola () . Fruits are edible (). Flowers are made into preserves; fruit juice removes stains from linens.

AVERRHOA CARAMBOLA L. Carambola (,); Grosella caranbola (); Tiriguro () . Occasionally cultivated in lowland Panama, the acid fruits are edible and are used for jellies and drinks. The tart juice is used to remove rust and tarnish from metals.

AVICENNIA GERMINANS L. Black mangrove (); Aili (); Calumate (); Mangle salado or negro (); Palo de sal (). the seeds are toxic until germinating, then they are edible cooked. The leaves are coated with salt. The bark is used for tanning. The flowers are much visited by bees. Gum from the trunk is used for throat infections. Smoke from the wood is said to be an effective mosquito smudge. Ashes are added to water for washing clothes. The tree is used for charcoal, fuel, construction, and tanning.

Avichuri: Brosimum (); Couma ()

Avicur: Couma ()

Avinge: Andira (); Geoffroya ()

Avinje: Chlorophora ()

Avispilla de canastilla: Hibiscus ()

Avispo: Eurya ()

Avispon: Hibiscus ()

Avocado: Persea ()

Ayahuasca: Banisteriopsis ()

Ayote: Cucurbita ()

Ayuelo: Dodonaea (); Erythroxylum ()

Azabuche: Pithecellobium ()

Azafran: Bocconia (); Crocus (); Curcuma ()

Azaharcillo: Hillia ()

Azari: Cornutia ()

Azota-caballo: Luehea (); Phytolacca (); Pithecellobium (,); Xylopia ()

Azota-cabeza: Philodendron (); Syngonium ()

Azote: Hampea ()

Azucarerito: Paullinia ()

Azucarero: Miconia ()

Azucena: Cattleya (); Lilium (,); Plumeria (); Thevetia ()

Azuceno: Elaeagia (); Plumeria (); Saurauia (); Thevetia ()

Azufaifa: Ziziphus ()

Azufre: Curatella (); Roupala ()

Azul: Jacobinia ()

Azulejo: Centaurea ()

Azulina: Petraea (); Plumbago ()

Azulito: Petraea ()

Azullillo: Hamelia ()

Azul de mata: Jacobinia (); Justicia ()

B

Baba: Gliricidia ()

Babaco: Carica ()

Bacaba: Oenocarpus ()

Bacao: Theobroma ()

BACCHARIS spp. Chilca (); Chilco (); Ciro ()

Bachelor's button: Gomphrena ()

Baco: Gustavia ()

BACTERICIDE: A substance used to kill bacteria. Allium, Genipa, Neurolaena.

BACTRIS MINOR Jacq. Black Palm (); Cana brava (); Lata (); Lata hembra (); Lata de playon (); Uvero de lata (). The pulp of the fruit is edible (fruits of Bactris species are edible). The leaves furnish forage during the dry season.

BACTRIS sp. Black palm (); Mongololo (). The young fruit is edible, with the flavor of coconut. At maturity it is nearly as hard as the ivory palm ().

Badea: Magnolia (); Passiflora ()

Badu: Xanthosoma ()

Bagala: Renealmia ()

Bagamani: Tapirira ()

Bagari: Piptadenia ()

Bagata: Dussia ()

Bagre: Adelia (); Trichilia ()

Baguar: Hamelia (,)

Baho: Platymiscium ()

Bailador: Guarea ()

Bajagua: Cassia ()

Bala: Gliricidia (); Spondias ()

Bala de canon: Couroupita ()

Balata: Manilkara (,)

Balaustre: Centrolobium ()

Balazo: Monstera ()

Ballico: Lolium ()

Balloon vine: Cardiospermum ()

Ballotica: Calliandra ()

Balsa: Bombax (); Heliocarpus (); Ochroma ()

Balsa blanca: Hampea ()

Balsam Capivi: Copaifera (); Myroxylon ()

Balsam copaiba: Copaifera ()

Balsaminito, Balsamito: Momordica (); Myrospermum ()

Balsamo: Momordica (); Myroxylon ()

Balsamo de Malagalpa: Myroxylon ()

Balsamo de Maracaibo: Copaifera ()

Balsa Montanero: Trema ()

Balsam Pear: Momordica ()

Balsam of Peru: Myroxylon ()

Balsillo: Croton ()

Balso: Apeiba (); Heliocarpus ()

Baltran: Phragmotheca ()

Balu: Erythrina ()

Bambali: Scabiosa ()

Bambito: Nectandra (); Ocotea ()

Bambito colorado: Ocotea ()

Bamboo: Bambusa (); Guadua ()

Bamboo palm: Oenocarpus ()

Bambu: Bambusa (); Guadua ()

Bambudo: Pterocarpus (); Pachira ()

BAMBUSA ARUNDINACEA Willd. Bamboo (); Bambu (); Chogro (); Nala (). In Latin America, bamboos are used mostly for construction, not for the culinary role that they play in the Orient. Various bamboos are cultivated, but mostly for ornamental and construction. Most bamboo species produce shoots, or "spears", which are edible. Bitterness is removed by changing the water several times during cooking. Toughness can be ameliorated by cutting the shoots into thin slices. Shoots about 15 inches tall and 3 inches in diameter are at a good stage for cooking, but Panamanian Chinese prefer them before they have emerged from the soil (). Leaf sheaths should be peeled away, as should be parts of the shoot that were in contact with the ground, especially if they have turned gray. The thin core should be cut into small disks, at least eight to the inch, and boiled for at least 20 minutes, changing the water. They are ready for eating then, but can be much improved by frying in coconut oil or butter. In times of scarcity, bamboo grain has saved the lives of thousands of Asian Indians, and the grains have sold at higher prices than rice. when other grains are plentiful, those of bamboo are rarely eaten. It is said to be a somewhat unsafe food, being apt to produce diarrhea and dysentery. Crops of grain in some species are produced only at intervals of about 30 years. Seeds of Bambusa arundinaceae usually appear when drought occurs, at least in India. Fluids in bamboos are often accumulated in the joints, especially in the hollow kinds. Water in these culms is potable. Young, vigorously growing stalks may have a considerable amount of liquid in each hollow internode, which can be located by shaking the stalk and listening for splashing. Some of the Darien species have water with much the flavor of a pipa (). Old, dry, and cracked stems also tend to accumulate potable rainwater. In India, pieces of hollow bamboo 3 to 6 feet long, with the partition perforated so as to form long pails, are carried by hill watermen, suspended over the back by a bamboo string that passes over the forehead. The water stays cool for a number of days. One entire section about a foot long is cut out, and a small hhole is bored in one of the joint partitions with the machete point to make an effective canteen. then sand and water are put in the hole and shaken around to clean out the interior. A plug is fashioned from some softwood tree. the flange on the bamboo stem forms a handle to which a line is tied to fashion a strap (). Rice and water are placed inside and covered. The primitive waterproof pot is placed on the fire until the rice is done. A simple ladle is made by cutrting one end of a joint down to a handle leaving a few inches of the bottom as a ladle. With the ladle the rice is served, and the meat course may be cut up with bamboo knoves. Milk pails and churns are also made of bamboo in India. without too much imagination, one can fashion anything from a barbecue grill to a smoking pipe from bamboo. Bamboos are not only used for fishing poles; the fishermen of Bengal have one of tghe most curious fish-hooks in the world. It consists of a short sliver of well-seasoned bamboo cane, 3x1/8 inch. the string is attacdhed near the middle of the sliver, which is then bent into a U-shape. A green grasshopper's head is plucked off and the two ends of the U are insesrted in the open end of the body. The upper end of the string is attached to a piece of bamboo about a foot long, which is left floating in the water. When the fish cuts the bait, the bamboo sliver is extended in its mouth, the ends being caught in its gills. Large fish are often caught this way, the pain more or less inactivating the fish. boats are sometimes caulked with shavings of bamboo mixed with lime and tung oil. The common and characteristic harpoon of Bengal consists of a piece of Dendrocalamus strictus about 6 feet long, split apically into eight or ten long pieces, about as thick as the little finger. These are smooth and rounded up to within a foot of the top, where the bamboo is firmlybound to keep it from further splitting and metal points are inserted. The fisherman rattles this against the side of the boat to alarm the fish from their hiding places in the weeds. The harpoon is then hurled, the prongs opening out on hitting the water and greatly enhancing the fisherman's chance by expanding the area of coverage with the metal points. Pointed bamboo stakes have been used to spear lobsters. Fish traps are also made of bamboo slivers. Split bamboo, heated in a fire to harden the wood, will take an edge. Some people shave with bamboo knives. Bamboo knives are superior to pocket knives for removing leeches, since they scrape rather than cut them off. Nagas and other hill tribes in India use the hardened outer portions of spiny bamboos as knives and spears. Jungles and forests about villages are often covered for miles with these formidable weapons. Short, sharp bamboo knives called pangis are vburied along the footpath so as to go right through the foot of the unwary traveler approaching the village. The foot is by accident placed between these, and being cut by the one in front, is rapidly withdrawn, only to have the other two violently driven in from behind. Sometimes thousands of these surround a village. Pits are also dug and lined with spears so that the unwary animal or traveler falls to a certain death. Cuna Indians are reported to line animal snares with bamboo slivers (). Emergency footwear has been devised from beaten and flattened bamboo stalks. The "Malayan Gate" consists of a cut sapling about 3 inches in diameter sprung horizontally between two trees with one end projecting a few feet. The end is armed with bamboo spears and triggered so that someone tripping on a string will release the sapling and be impaled with bamboo. On festive occasions, Malays put green bamboo in specially prepared fired. The air enclosed in the joint gets heated and the joints burst with a heavy report, like a small pistol. To remove worms from ulcers, some people place a poultice, made by pounding the leaves of Bambusa arundinacea on the ulcer, after first pouring the juice on the vermin. In the interior of the hollow stems of some bamboos, e.g., Bambusa arundinacea, is found a siliceous and crystalline substance known in India as tabashir. Tabashir is considered aphrodisiac, demulcent, emmenagogic, expectorant, febrifugal, and pectoral. It is used to combat flatulence and jaundice. leafe sheaths have been used as splints, and bamboo joints have served as peg legs, the stumps of the leg being merely inserted at the open end of the culm. Toothbrushes are fashioned by chewing at the ends of a sliver until they are soft and the fibers separated. Bamboo has been fashioned into needles by some people who used threads stripped from fibrous bark or coconut leaves.

Banak: Virola ()

Banana: Musa ()

Banco: Dendropanax (); Gyrocarpus ()

Bandera espanola: Canna ()

Bandera de uribe: Canna ()

Banderita: Masdavallia ()

Banyan: Ficus ()

Bao: Campomanesia (); Platymiscium ()

Baobob: Adansonia ()

Baquero: Croton () Bara: Spondias ()

Baraboja: Tithonia ()

Barajo, Baraja, Barajillo: Cassia ()

Baranca: Dugandia ()

Barano: Caesalpinia (); Senegalia ()

Barbabisco: Erythrina ()

Barba chele: Vochysia ()

Barbadina: Passiflora ()

Barbados aloe: Aloe ()

Barbados gooseberry: Pereskia ()

Barbados pride: Caesalpinia ()

Barba gallo: Warszewiczia ()

Barba de jolote: Pithecellobium ()

Barbancito: Phyllanthus ()

Barba de palo: Grimmia ()

Barba de rey: Gynandropsis ()

Barbarito: Trophis ()

Barbascillo: Daphne ()

Barbasco: Bidens (); Clibadium sylvestre (); Ichthyothere scandens (); Jacquinia (); Paullinia (,); Phyllanthus (); iPolygonum (); Rumex (); Serjania (); Salmea ()

Barbasco de agua: Lonchocarpus ()

Barbasco de fruto: Muelleria ()

Barbasco montero: Croton ()

Barbasco de pua: Jacquinia (); Zanthoxylum ()

Barbas de viejo: Tillandsia ()

Barbas de mono: Triplaris ()

Barbas de guasco: Acalypha ()

Barba de viejo: Clematis (); Tillandsia ()

Barbatuco: Erythrina ()

Barbon: Caesalpinia ()

Barbudo: Piptocarpha ()

Barcino: Calophyllum ()

Barenillo: Croton ()

Barillo: Symphonia ()

Baripozo: Sesbania ()

BARK CLOTH: Primitive clothing made from the inner bark of plants. Brosimum, Castilla, Cecropia, Ficus, Hibiscus, Muntingia, Poulsenia, Pseudolmedia.

Barley: Hordeum ()

Barniz de Pasto: Elaegia ()

Barnyard grass: Echinochioa ()

Barrabas: Euphorbia ()

Barredera: Tessaria ()

Barrigon: Pseudobombax ()

Barsalito: Baccharis ()

BASELLA RUBRA L. Ceylon spinach (); Bretana (). This excellent potherb is rarely cultivated in Panama.

Bashful plant: Mimosa ()

Basil: Ocimum ()

Basquin: Senecio guicanensis ()

Bastard cacique: Prunus ()

Bastard cedar: Guazuma ()

Bastard mahogany: Carapa ()

Bataba: Jessenia ()

Batatilla: Cucurma (); Ipomoea (); Rivea ()

Batatilla amarilla: Ipomoea ()

Batatilla macho: Jacquemontia ()

Bateita: Pithecoctenium ()

Bateo: Carapa ()

BATIS MARITIMA L. Saltwort (); Barilla (). The leaves serve as a presalted salad, potherb, or pickle.

Baura: Piscidia ()

Bayeto antioquena: Albizia ()

Bayra: Ichthyothera terminales ()

Beach carpet: Philoxerus ()

Beak-sedge: Rhynchospora ()

Bean: Phaseolus ()

Beardgrass: Andropogon ()

Becerra: Antirrhinum ()

Beefsteak: Heliconia ()

Beefwood: Casuarina ()

Beet: Beta ()

Beggarlice: Desmosium ()

Beggartick: Bidens ()

Bego: Persea ()

BEILSCHMIEDIA ANAY Kosterm. The fruit is edible and oily.

Bejucillo: Vanilla ()

Bejuca agraz: Tetracera ()

Bejuco de agra: Cissus (); Davilla (); Pisonia (); Vitis ()

Bejuco de aja: Petraea ()

Bejuco alcalde: Desmoncus ()

Bejuco amarillo: Liabrum megacephalum ()

Bejuco amarrar: Securidaca ()

Bejuco azul: Cissampelos ()

Bejuco de bruja: Cuscuta ()

Bejuco caballuno: Rhynchosia ()

Bejuco de cadena: Bauhinia ()

Bejuco de canjura: Tontelea ()

Bejuco carare: Aristolochia ()

Bejuco Carleno: Bauhinia ()

Bejuco castana: Smilax ()

Bejuco castro: Cissus ()

Bejuco catebrero: Cydista ()

Bejuco de cerca: Cissampelos ()

Bejuco chaparro: Tetracera ()

Bejuco chinche: Philodendron ()

Bejuco chirrador: Cissus ()

Bejuco clavellino: Mutisia clematis ()

Bejuco colorado: Muehlenbeckia ()

Bejuco comemano: Cissus ()

Bejuco de corral: Serjania ()

Bejuco curamuelas: Manettia ()

Bejuco de culebra: Bauhinia (,)

Bejuco deshinchador: Philodendron ()

Bejuco escalera: Bauhinia ()

Bejuco de garza: Entada ()

Bejuco espinosa: Serjania ()

Bejuco esquinero: Cydista ()

Bejuco de estrella: Anthodon (); Marcgravia ()

Bejuco de garrote: Rourea ()

Bejuco de gloria: Ipomoea ()

Bejuco guaco: Mikania guaco ()

Bejuco de hierro: Entada ()

Bejuco iasu: Cissus ()

Bejuco juriso: Serjania ()

Bejuco de leche: Funastrum ()

Bejuco lengua de vaca: Philodendron ()

Beujco loco: Aristolochia (); Cissus ()

Bejuco de mono: Bauhinia ()

Bejuco mulatto: Securidaca ()

Bejuco de murcielago: Monstera ()

Bejuco negro: Smilax ()

Bejuco de panume: Entada ()

Bejuco pedorro: Chamissoa ()

Bejuco picador: Gurania ()

Bejuco de pipa: Marcgravia ()

Bejuco de puerco: Calonyction ()

Bejuco quemador: Davilla ()

Bejuco real: Anthurium ()

Bejuco de reuma: Gouania ()

Bejuco de sangre: Machaerium ()

Bejuco de saina: Dioscorea ()

Bejuco de salud: Cissampelos ()

Bejuco de San Juan: Allamanda ()

Bejuco de sapa: Bomarea (); Marsdenia ()

Bejuco de sengra: Cnestidium ()

Bejuco tome: Davilla (); Doliocarpus (); Tetracera ()

Bejuco trompeta: Calonyction ()

Bejuco de vaca: Calonyction ()

Bejuco de volantin: Muehlenbeckia ()

Bejuquillo: Vanilla ()

Bek: Byrsonima ()

Bekira: Manihot ()

Belacho: Helosia ()

Belladama: Incidium ()

Bellisima: Antigonon ()

Bellorita: Bellis ()

BELLUCIA spp.: Coronillo (); Papaturro agrio () . The fruits are edible.

Bencenuco: Asclepias ()

Benju: Styrax ()

Beo: Persea ()

Berba: Helicostylis ()

Berbequi santo: Helicteres ()

Berbiqui: Helieteres ()

Berenjena: Croton (); Cucurbita (); Solanum (,)

Berenjena cimarrona: Solanum ()

Berenjena espinuda: Solanum ()

Berenjena silvestre: Solanum ()

BERIBERI: A disease due to thiamin deficiency. Treated with Hymenaea.

Bermudagrass: Cynodon ()

Bernabe: Cordia ()

Berraco: Brunellia (); Celtis (); Roupala (); Trema ()

Berraquillo: Ryania ()

Berros: Nasturtium ()

BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA H.&B. Brazil nut (); Nuez de para (). The seeds are edible and yield a cooking oil. the bark is used for caulking boats.

BETA VULGARIS L. Beet (); Remolacha (). The beet is rarely cultivated in Panama.

Betsura: Ficus ()

Bi: Helicostylis ()

Bichichinejo: Annona ()

Bicho: Adipera (); Cassia ()

Bicutema: Cassia ()

BIDENS CYNAPIIFOLIA H.B.K. Cadillo menudo ()

BIDENS PILOSA L. Beggartick (); Arponcito (); Cadillo (); Chipaca (); Cadillo de huerta (); Masiquia (); Duarte (); Papunga (); Pacunja (); Cadillo de perro (); Sirvulaca (). The young shoots serve as a potherb not really requiring salt. They are sometimes mixed with half-boiled rice grains and fermented to make a kind of saki. Warm juice of the plant is styptic. Leaves are vulnerary, and used to wash wounds in the choco. A heated infusion of the plant is used as a bath to relieve pains of rheumatism. Flowers cooked with sugar are taken internally for colds. The root is used in Antioquia for hepatic infections.

BIDENS PILOSA var. RADIATA Sch.-Bip. Masiquiara (); Papunga (); Papunga de arbolito ()

Bienmesabe: Blighia ()

Bien-te-veo: Gurania ()

Bien vestido: Gliricida ()

Bigari: Poponax ()

Bigure: Campomanesia ()

Bija: Arrabidaea (); Bixa (,); Bursera ()

Bijagua: Calathea (); Canna ()

Bijao: Calathea ()

Bitter wood: Quassia ()

Bolador: Erechtites valerianifolia ()

Bogamani: Virola ()

Bogamani verde: Dialyanthera ()

Bogum: Symphonia (,)

Bola: Chamaedorea (); Synechanthus ()

Bolador: Erechtites valerianifolia (); Persea ()

Bolao: Ruprechtia ()

Boldo: Peumus ()

Bolita de perro: Bunchosia ()

Bollo blanco: Pterocarpus ()

BOMAREA sp. Bejuco sapo (); Papa-guasca (). The vine, used in house construction, produces a tuber, edible when roasted. Some species are eaten to overcome sterility.

BOMBACOPSIS QUINATA Dugand. Spiny cedar (); Cedro espinoso (); Ceiba colorado (); Ceiba tolua (); Tolu () . This lulmber tree is favored for making dugouts in Darien.

Bombillo: Chamaefistula (); Passiflora ()

Bombito: Cassia ()

Bombon: Cochlospermum ()

Bombona: Iriartea ()

Bombonaza: Carludovica ()

Bonche: Hibiscus ()

Bonewood: Faramea ()

Bongo: Cavanillesia (); Ceiba ()

Boniato: Ipomoea ()

Boquiabierto: Antirrhinum ()

Borajo: Posoqueria ()

Borboro: Scaveola ()

Bore: Colocasia ()

Borla de San Juan: Lobelila ()

Borla de San Pedro: Begonia ()

Borlas: Acalypha ()

Borlitas: Emilia ()

Borojo: Borojoa ()

Borojo de monte: Duroia ()

BOROJOA PATINOI Cuatr. Borojo () . This favorit fruit tree, one fruit making a bowl of chicha, has followed the Choco into Panama. (I am called "Borojo" among the Darien Choco, because, for a while, I was distributing borojo seedlings like "Johnny Appleseed".) Nursing Salaqui Choco mothers avoid the fruit in the belief it will cause colic in the infant.

Borrachero: Datura ()

Borracho: Piscidia ()

Borraja: Malachra ()

Borrajon: Wigandia ()

BORRERIA LATIFOLIA Schum. Hierba dulce (). Used as a diuretic in the Choco.

Botoncillo: Borreria (); Spilanthes ()

Boton morado: Hyptis ()

Boton de oro: Helichrysum (); Spilanthes ()

Boton de plata: Helichrysum ()

Botonsillo: Spilanthes ()

Bototo: Cochlospermum ()

Box-briar: Randia ()

Bracino: Styrax ()

Brasil: Chlorophora (); Mora (); Tara ()

Brasilete: Sickingia (); Guilandina ()

Brasil nut: Bertholletia ()

BRASSICA spp. To this genus belong several leafy vegetables, which are not in demand in Darien, e.g., Brussels sprouts, cabbage , cauliflower , collards, kohlrabi, mustard , rutabaga, and turnips . These are rarely, if ever, seen on Darien tables (). In Colombia, rebanca is an equivalent of turnip greens .

BRAVAISIA sp. Naranjilo bobo (). This ant-infested small tree is considered to be an expectorant.

Brazilian rose: Cochlospermum ()

Brazilian tea: Stachytarpheta ()

Brazo de tigre: Cordia ()

Brea: Parkinsonia ()

Bread and cheese: Paullinia ()

Breadfruit: Artocarpus ()

Breadnut: Brosimum (); Trophis ()

Bretana: Basella ()

Breva: Ficus ()

Brevo de monte: Ficus ()

Bribri: Inga ()

Bribri guavo: Inga ()

Brinca-brinca: Blechum ()

Brir: Genipa ()

Broad bean: Vicia ()

Broma, Broma real: Pitcairnia ()

BROMELIA NIDUS-PUELLAE Andre ex Mez. Piraju (); Piro (); Pinuela (). Used for living fences, this produces a good antiscorbutic fruit.

BROMELIA PINGUIN L. Chibe-chibe (); Oa (); Pinuela (); Piro () . The acid antiscorbutic fruits are edible and good for making beverages (). The fried inflorescence is eaten in El Salvador. Shoots at the base of the plant are eaten raw or cooked. they are supposed to curb stomach pains suffered by women in menstruation, by causing the blood to flow more freely.

BRONCHITIS: Inflammation of the bronchial tubs. Treated with Allium, Cicer, cocos, Hymenaea, Mangifera.

Broom: Sida ()

Broom Sweep: Scoparia ()

Broom weed: Cassia ()

BROSIMUM ALICASTRUM Sw. Breadnut (); Ojoche (). The fruits are boiled and eaten; the leafy branches are cut and fed to livestock. Seeds are boiled and eaten as a vegetable or dried and ground into flour.

BROSIMUM TERRABANUM Pittier. Breadnut (); Ojoche (). The latex is sweet; the fruits are edible, made into toritllas in Nicaragua. The wood is said to burn green.

BROSIMUM UTILE Pittier. Cowtree (); Arbol de leche (); Guaimaro (); Lechero (); Mastate (); Palo de leche (); Palo de vaca (); Sande (); Vaco (). The copious latex is mixed with balsa charcoal to make embil, which, wrapped in Manicaria leaves, serves as a torch. The latex is potable, sometimes made into a cheese. The fruits are edible raw or cooked and can be used as a breadstuff. Their resin is used for candles and for adulterating chicle. The latex is used to cure asthma and inflammation. The bark is used to make cloth and the wood is supposed to burn green. The bark of other species is regarded as a galactagogue. (Illustrating the Doctrine of Signatures: the bark of the tree produces milk; superstitiously perhaps, it is used by the people to induce lactation.) The tree is used to make dugouts called potros in Colombia.

BROWALLIA AMERICANA L. Chavelita de monte (). This common weed is used to treat various skin diseases.

BROWNEA spp. Ariza (); Palo de cruz (); Palo rosak (); Rosa de monte (). The trees are considered antidysenteric.

Brucha: Cassia ()

Bruja: Rubia ()

Brujito: Lagenaria (); Posadaea (); Abrus ()

Brukra: Erythrina ()

Brusca: Cassia ()

Brussels sprouts: Brassica ()

BRYOPHYLLUM PINNATUM Kurz. Air plant (); Colombiano (); Hoja de aire (); Hoja santa (). The leaf decoction is regarded as emollient, hemostatic, vulnerary, good for ulcers and boils.

Buaibinu: Anacardium ()

Bucare: Erythrina ()

Bucaro: Erythrina ()

Buche: Pithecellobium ()

Buchon: Eichhornia ()

Buchona: Pistia ()

Bucida: Bucida ()

Buckwheat: Fagopyrum ()

BUDDLEIA AMERICANA L.: Salvia santa (); Salvia virgen (); Wild sage ()

Buena mico: Pisonia ()

Buenas tardes: Bradburya (); Mirabilis ()

Bufa: Guilielma ()

Buira: Petrea ()

Buk-oro-mo: Inga ()

Buk-udra: Inga ()

Bullet-tree: Bucida ()

Bullet-wood: Mimusops ()

Bullhorn acacia: Acacia ()

Bully tree: Hieronyma ()

BUNCHOSIA spp. Ciruela (). The fruits are edible .

Buquet de novia: Ixora ()

Burikri: Gliricidia ()

Burilico: Xylopia ()

Burillo: Apeiba (); Guatteria (); Hampea ()

Burio: Apeiba (); Guatteria (); Hampea (,); Heliocarpus ()

Burio extrangero: Hibiscus (); Wercklea ()

Burio falso: Heliocarpus ()

Buriogre: Cordia (); Hampea (); Heliocarpus ()

Buriogre amarillo: Cordia ()

Buriogre de montana: Cordia ()

Burriada: Cecropia ()

Burriquita: Jacaquinia ()

BURSERA SIMARUBA Sarg. Naked Indian (); Almacigo (); Carana (); Carate (); Caratero (); Gumbolimbo (); Indio desnudo (); Jinocuavo (); Jinote (); Resbalamono () . Tea is made from the leaves. This may be used to treat venereal diseases and obesity. The gum is used to mend dishes and to caulk dugouts, preventing worm damage. The Choco say that a decoction of the bark applied to the body three times and not washed for a week is depilatory (). Experiments to prove this failed (). Some say that this only works when applied before puberty (). The resin is used to treat wounds, to apply to the navel of the newly born, and to bring boils to a head. Water put in a piece of the wood is used the following day to cure renal afflications (). Among the Maje Choco, cuts are washed with an infusion of the bark and then ashes of the bark are applied to the wound. The tree is often used as a living fence post (). Wood of this and related species is supposed to burn green.

Burukra: Erythrina ()

Busu: Manicaria ()

Butago: Musa ()

Buttercup: Allamanda ()

Butterfly orchid: Oncidium ()

Button mangrove: Conocarpus ()

Buttonwood: Conocarpus ()

BYRSONIMA CRASSIFOLIA H.B.K. Goldon spoon (); Wild cherry (); Manteco (); Nance (); Noro (); Peraleja () . Rich in vitamin C, the fruits are used for a fermented drink, which ismuch better cold than tepid. Often the Chicha is frozen on a stick (). Edible butter is extracted from the fruits with hot water. The fruits are eaten by domestic and wild animals. The bark is used as a fish poison. The flowers are much visited by bees. The epidermis and green frujits are used to stain cotton. The bark is also used for tanning; the wood is used for charcoal, fuel, and the extraction of a red dye; further it is used as a remedy for skin afflictions.

BYTTNERIA ACULEATA Jacq. Espina hueca (); Rabo de iguana (); Rangay (); Zarza (). The plant is regarded as antivenereal and depurative.

C

Caapi: Banisteriopsis ()

Caballera de Venus: Adiantum ()

Caballeros: Souroubea ()

Caballito: Gyrocarpus (); Jacaranda (); Tecoma ()

Caballocup: Caryocarp ()

Cabalonga: Fevillea (); Thevetia ()

Cabazuelo: Stachytarpheta ()

Cabbage: Brassica ()

Cabbagebark: Andira ()

Cabecita: Ammandra ()

Cabellos de angel: Clematis (); Cuscuta ()

Cabeza de leon: Coccoloba ()

Cabeza de loro: Eugenia ()

Cabeza de negrito: Guazuma ()

Cabeza de negro: Ammandra (); Bulbostylis (); Dioscorea (,); Guazuma (); Manicaria (); Phytelephas ()

Cabeza de toro: Stanhopea ()

Cabeza de vaca: Calytocarpus ()

Cabezona: Calea (); Paspalum ()

Cabi: Coffea ()

Cabismo: Copaifera ()

Cablote: Guazuma ()

Cabo de Indio: Iryanthera ()

Cabuya: Furcraea ()

Caca: Bursera (); Cariodendron ()

Cacahuanance: Gliricidia ()

Cacahuate: Arachis ()

Cacaloguiste de flor quemada: Godmania ()

Cacalojiche: Plumeria ()

Cacama: Bidens ()

Cacao: Theobroma ()

Cacao de ardilla: Herrania ()

Cacao blanco: Theobroma ()

Cacao calabacillo: Theobroma ()

Cacao cimarron: Herrania (); Morisonia (); Theobroma ()

Cacao de Costa Rica: Herrania (); Theobroma ()

Cacao criollo: Theobroma ()

Cacao mani: Herrania ()

Cacao de mico: Theobroma ()

Cacao de monte: Herrania (); Pachira (,)

Cacao de playa: Pachira ()

Cacao silvestre: Enallagma (); Theobroma ()

Cacao volandor: Virola ()

Cacha: Dolichos (); Phaseolus ()

Cachaco: Musa (); Posoqueria ()

Cachanhula: Swietenia ()

Cachas: Phaseolua ()

Cachimbo: Erythrina (); Platymiscium (); Posoqueria ()

Cachimolivo: Thevetia ()

Cachipay: Guilielma ()

Cachito: Acacia (); Myrmecodendron (); Tabernaemontana ()

Cachito de aromo: Acacia ()

Cachitor: Tabernaemontana ()

Cacho de venado: Dendropanax (); Lycopodium (); Xylosma ()

Cachu: Iriartea (); Socratea ()

Cachuda: Iriartea (); Socratea ()

Cacin: Mimosa ()

Cacique: Brosimum (); Diphysa (); Eugenia (,); Pseudolmedia ()

Cacique blanco: Eugenia ()

Cacique carey: Piratinera ()

Caco: Jacaranda ()

Cadanari: Mauritiella ()

Cadena de amor: Antigonon ()

Cadenilla: Schnella ()

Cadenillo: Banara ()

Cadeno: Albizia ()

Cadi: Phytelephas ()

Cadillo: Bidens (); Cenchrus (); Cyathula (); Priva (); Triumfetta ()

Cadillo blanco: Acaena ()

Cadmia: Cananga ()

CAESALPINIA CRISTA L. Nickernut (); Seabean (); Calentura (); Mato () . The seeds, sometimes used in necklaces are considered febrifugal, periodic, tonic, and vesicant. they are used to treat colic, convulsions, hydrocele, leprosy, and palsy. The oil from the seeds is said to soften the skin and remove pimples. The bark is antiperiodic and rubefacient. the plant is used to counteract toothache. A leaf decoction is used a a collyrium. In Colombia the seeds are used to make maracas ().

CAESALPINIA PULCHERRIMA Sw. Barbados pride (); Bird of Paradise flower (); Angelite (); Flor de Pavo (); Flower fence (): Clavellina (,); Gallito (). Widely cultivated, the plant is purgative and is used for epilepsy.

Cafe: Coffea ()

Cafecillo: Psychotria (); Trophis ()

Cafe cimarron: Canna ()

Cafecito: Inga (); Zygia ()

Cafe del diablo: Casearia ()

Cafe de Liberia: Coffea ()

Cafe de pobre: Cassia ()

Cagajon: Zuelania ()

Cagalero: Celtis (); Clethra (); Randia (); Ximenia ()

Cagalero comestible: Celtis ()

Caguaso: Paspalum ()

Cagu: Caryocar (); Mayna ()

Caguimo: Erythroxylum ()

Cai: Saccharum ()

Caiba: Cyclanthera ()

Caidata: Ocotea (); Ouratea ()

Caifa: Cyclanthera (); Elateriopsis ()

Caimancillo: Agonandra ()

Caimaron: Pourouma ()

Caimillo: Miconia ()

Caimitillo: Bumelia ()

Caimito: Crysophyllum (,,); Vismia ()

Caimito cimarron: Chrysophyllum ()

Caimito de monte: Ximenia ()

Caimito-pumarejo: Lacmellia ()

Caimo: Chrysophyllum (); Lucuma (); Pouteria ()

Caimo blanco: Lucuma ()

Cainca: Chiococca ()

Cainillo: Miconia ()

Cainillo de cerro: Miconia ()

Caja: Capsicum ()

CAJANUS CAJAN Millsp. Pigeonpea (); Chicharos (); Frijol de palo (); Guandu (,); Gungo Peas (); Quimbo lillo (); Timbolillo () . The young seeds are eaten like green peas, a Panama favorite called arroz con guandu. Around La Nueva, Colombia, the leaves are used as a remedy for bat bites. The leaves and shoots contain about 9% protein.

Cajetajo: Inga ()

Cajeto: Trichanthera ()

Cajon: Platypodium ()

Cajuaya: Mauritiella ()

Cala: Zantedeschia ()

Calaba: Calophyllum ()

Calabacero: Capparis (); Crescentia ()

Calabacillo: Capparis (); Morisonia (); Sterculia ()

Calabacillo de la playa: Enallagma ()

Calabasa : Crescentia (); Cucurbita (); Lagenaria (); Luffa ()

Calabash: Crescentia ()

Calabash, black: Enallagma ()

Calabash gourd: Lagenaria ()

Calabash tree: Crescentia ()

Calabash vine: Drymonia ()

Calabasuero: Morisonia (); Steudelia ()

Calabazuelo: Pachira ()

Calabomba: Iresine ()

Calaguala: Polypodium ()

Calalu: Amaranthus (); Phytolacca ()

Calambuca: Calophyllum ()

CALATHEA ALLOUIA Lindl. Sweet cornroot (); Bijao (); Faldita morada (); Irwa (); Kakiska (); Sal () . The tubers and young flower heads are eaten cooked. The leaves are used for wrapping food by Cuna, Choco, and Negro, and judging from the name "sal", impart some flavor. They are sold in the markets in Turbo (). This was once described as the most necessary plant in Panama to cover newly born babies, to make blankets, mattresses, and pillows, for umbrellas, to cover cargo and keep water from bouncing out of water jugs, to make baskets, and to wrap "bollos". One can rarely pass a Choco hut without finding a few plantains, wrapped in bijao, roasting over the ashes in the fireplace (). In colombia, the bijao often envelops a mixture of corn and rice (). The bijao also plays a role in Choco witchcraft. the blood of a freshly decapitated nequi is hidden in the leaf of bijao with another "secret" leaf. The witch doctor returns in 7 days and finds a special breed of wasps which he carefully collects. He can then command them to sting a victim near the heart, inflicting an incurable malecia ().

CALATOLA sp. The fruits are edible.

Calavera: Acineta (); Peristeria ()

CALEA PRUNIFOLIA H.B.K. Escobilla (). The leaves are used for treating itch, dandruff, and hives. Other species are considered sudorific.

CALEA GLOMERATA Klatt: Carrasposa, Chicharron

CALEA PENNELLII Blake: Cabezona, Carrosposa

CALEA TERNIFOLIA H.B.K. Carrasposa

CALEA YURUPARINA Cuatr. Kubeo

CALENDULA OFFICINALIS L. Calendula, Maravillosa

Calentura: Asclepias (); Caesalpinia (); Chloroleucon ()

Caliguate: Heliconia ()

Calingueiro: Mellinis ()

CALOCARPUM MAMMOSUM Pierre. Sapote (); Mamey (,). The fruits are edible raw () or made into preserves. Ground seeds are used to flavor chocolate. The diuretic seed oil is used in epilepsy, cold remedies, and for hairdressing, said to restore fallen hair. The large seeds were once used in iron linens. Empty seed testae were formerly used as snuff boxes.

CALONYCTION ACULEATUM House. Moonflower (); Bejuco de vaca (); Galan de noche (). The leaves and calyces are used as a potherb, and young seeds are eaten. Contact with the plant may cause itching. The latex is used for coagulating rubber.

CALOPHYLLUM BRAZILIENSE Camb. Maria () . This is an important timber tree exported from Darien (). The fruits are eaten by hogs and an oil is extracted from the seeds. The latex is used for caulking and medicine ().

CALYCOPHYLLUM CANDIDISSIMUM DC. Lemonwood (); Alazano (); Conejo (); Harino (); Madrono (); Salamo (,); Surra () . This is a fine lumber, used for everything from combs to charcoal. the bark is used to treat stomach ulcers.

Calzoncillo: Passiflora ()

Camacalarta: Passiflora ()

Camajon: Sterculia ()

Camajondura: Sterculia ()

Camajuru: Sterculia ()

Camanguchi: Mauritia ()

Camargo: Chaenocephalus (); Montanoa ()

Camargo chico: Verbesina crassiramea ()

Camarin: Clerodendrum ()

Camaron: Annona (); Iresine (); Maytenus ()

Camaroncillo: Hirtella ()

Camaroncito: Myrica ()

Camasey: Miconia ()

Camasey amarillo: Miconia ()

Camasey esquinado: Miconia ()

Camasey morado: Miconia()

Camasey negro: Henriettelia ()

Camasey peludo: Henriettelia ()

Cambulo: Erythrina ()

Camelia: Clerodendrum ()

Camella: Clerodendrum ()

Camfine: Trichilia ()

Camiba: Copaifera ()

Camibar: Copaifera (); Prioria (,)

Caminadera: Lycopodium ()

Camote: Ipomoea ()

Camotillo: Curcuma ()

Campana: Laplacea (); Loasa ()

Campanilla : Bradburya (); Centrosema (); Enterolobium (); Thevetia ()

Campano: Enterolobium (); Guarea (); Pithecellobium (); Samanea ()

Campanola: Ipomoea ()

Campanula: Cobaea ()

Campeche: Haematoxylon ()

CAMPELIA ZANONIA H.B.K. Coyontura (). This plant is used for venereal diseases.

CAMPNOSPERMA PANAMENSIS Stand. Sajo () . An economically important plant is said to occupy 97,000 hectares on the Choco.

CAMPOMANESIA LINEATIFOLIA Ruiz & Pav. Michinche (). the fruit is edible raw, but the seeds should be avoided. The pulp makes jelliles and marmalades on par with guava jelly.

Cana de azucar: Saccharum ()

Cana blanca: Gynerium ()

Canaboba: Gynerium ()

Cana brava: Anrira (); Arundo (); Bactris (); Chusquea (); Gynerium (,)

Canac: Cannabis ()

Cana caijino: Bactris ()

Cana de castilla: Gynerium ()

Cana de danta: Geonoma ()

Cana de danto: Vernonia ()

Canadonga: Cassia (); Pithecellobium ()

Cana dulce: Licania ()

Cana fistula: Brasilettia (); Cassia (); Tachigalia ()

Cana fistula macho: Cassia ()

Cana fistula de monte: Leucaena ()

Cana flecha: Gynerium ()

Canagria: Costus (,)

Canaguate: Tabebuia (); Tecoma ()

Cana de la India: Taetsia (); Tripsacum ()

Canajira: Geonoma ()

Canajo: Spondias ()

Canaleao: Paullinia ()

Canalete: Cordia ()

Canalua: Platypodium ()

Cana de mico: Costus ()

Canamo: Cannabis ()

Cana de molinillo: Chamaedorea (); Geonoma ()

Cana muda: Dieffenbachia ()

Cana de muela: Piper ()

Canana: Geonoma ()

Canadonga: Cassia ()

Cananga: Cananga ()

Canangucha: Mauritia ()

Canasacanja: Pseudelephantopus ()

Cana de San Pablo: Bactris (); Morenia ()

Canastilla: Aristolochia (); Hibiscus ()

CANAVALIA ENSIFORMIS DC. Jack bean (); Coca (); Quemasusu (); Sia () . The pods may be eaten boiled. Unripe seeds are reputely poisonous; ripe seeds are roasted as a coffee substitute.

Cana verde: Chamaedorea ()

Cana de vibora: Chamaedorea (); Morenia ()

Canaza: Bambusa (); Guadua ()

CANCER: A malignant tumor of any type. Treated with Adenanthera, Argemone, Carica, Haematoxylon, Hamelia, Piper, Renealmia, Tussacia.

Cancer de loma: Acanthospermum australe ()

Cancha: Phaseolus ()

Canchalagua: Erythrina (); Euphorbia ()

Canchi: Bixa (); Metteniusa ()

Canchu: Corioria ()

Candeabsurguit: Pseudelephantopus ()

Candela: Antirrhea ()

Candelabro: Lemaireocereus ()

Candelero: Oreopanax ()

Candelillo: Cassia (); Cupania (); Magnolia (); Tecoma ()

Candelito: Chamaesenna ()

Candelo: Hieronyma (); Pittoniotis (); Rondeletia (,)

Candia: Abelmoschus ()

Candil: Amyris ()

Candelnut: Aleurites ()

CANDLENUTS: Seeds or fruits which are strung and burned like candles. Aleurites, Ceiba, Chrysobalanus, Cocos, Corozo, Dialyanthera, Dipteryx, Jatropha, Licania, Virola.

Candle tree: Parmentiera ()

Candlewood: Gynerium ()

Cane: Gynerium ()

Caneja: Costus ()

Canela: Cinnamomum (); Platypodium ()

Canelillo: Ocotea ()

Canelito: Isertia ()

Canellito: Miconia ()

Canelo: Drimys (); Nectandra (,); Ocotea ()

Canelo de Parmo: Drimys ()

Canelon: Cephalocereus (); Lemaireocereus (); Peperomia ()

Caney: Maytenus ()

Cangrejo: Anemopaegma (); Clytostoma ()

Canguil: Zea ()

Canilla de mula: Hyptis (); Miconia (); Triplaris ()

Canilla de pollo: Justicia ()

Canilla de venado: Hamelia (); Miconia ()

Canillito: Conostegia (); Miconia ()

Canillo: Miconia ()

Canillo de cerro: Miconia ()

Canime: Copaifera (); Prioria ()

Canirico: Xylosma ()

Caniva: Copaifera ()

Canizo: Hymenachne ()

Canjaro: Cordia ()

Canjura: Strychnos ()

CANNA spp. Canna (); Achira (); Achiva (); Bandera de uriba (); Cafe cimarron (); Capacho (); Chisgua (); Chumbima (); Maraca () . The roots of some species serve as a source of starch allowed to diabetics (). The seeds are used in necklaces, rattles, and popguns. the leaves are used for wrapping food. Leaves and tubers serve as fodder. In certain parts of Colombia, cakes are made from the flour extracted from the roots. the plant is considered diuiretic and emollient. Necklaces of the seeds, sometimes accompanied with the teeth of the fish payara, are supposed to drive off the "mal de ojo" and to make the teeth grow strong. The leaves and rhizomes are considered refrigerant and rubefacient, and are recommended for epilepsy. The leaves are used as cataplasm fo0r hernias.

CANNABIS SATIVA L. Hemp (); Canac (); Canamo (); Ganja (); Marijuana () . The parched, oily seeds are highly nutritious. The oil is used for illumination and rheumatism. Only recently, the leaves, which are used as a tobacco substitute, have been linked with cancer, emphysema, or heart disease.

Canoeto: Platypodium ()

Canotillo: Piper ()

Cansa cerro: Margyricarpus ()

Cansa mozo: Borreria ()

Cansamuela: Inga ()

Cansa Perro: Salvia (); Margyricarpus ()

Cantagallo: Erythrina ()

Cantarillo: Conostegia (); Cupania ()

Canteloupe: Cucumis ()

Canuela trepadora: Lasiacis ()

Canutillo: Campelia (); Ewuisetum (); Melampodium (); Pariana (); Zebrina ()

Canyack: Cannabis ()

Caoba: Guarea (); Spathodea (); Swietenia ()

Caoba africana: Trichilia ()

Caoba americana: Swietenia ()

Caobillo: Carapa (); Guarea ()

Caobono: Cariniana ()

Capa: Cordia ()

Capacho: Canna ()

Capacunga: Potentilla ()

Caparrapi: Aniba (); Nectandra (); Ocotea ()

Caparrosa: Vismia ()

Cape: Clusia ()

Capecito: Ternstroemia ()

Caper: Capparis ()

Capera: Sterculia ()

Capesillo: Clusia ()

Capilote: Miconia ()

Capirote: Bellucia (); Miconia ()

Capirote Blanco: Miconia ()

Capitana: Desmodium (); Neurolaena ()

Capitana de corazon: Aristolochia ()

Capitancillo: Pentaclethra ()

Capote: Machaerium ()

Capotillo: Anthurium ()

CAPPARIS SPINOSA L. Caper (); Alcaparras () . Pickled flower buds are the capers of commerce, much used in Colombia, but rare in Panama. In Colombia, buds of species of Cassia, pickled in sour vinegar with cloves, have been falsely sold as capers. Some Capparis spp. are reported to have poisonous fruits, but those of C. pittieri taste like Solanum quitensis ().

CAPRARIA BIFLORA L. Cola de gallo (); Hierba te () . the leaves, used in treating uterine disorders and diabetes, are said to prevent falling hair.

CAPSICUM FRUTESCENS L. Red pepper (); Aji (); Aji picante (); Caja (); Chile (); Kapur (); Rocoto () . Red pepper, commonly cultivated and escaped, is not so much used in Panama as it is in Mexico. In Africa, the fruits or leaves are taken as antidotes after eating poisonous fish. In San Bas, Indians string hot peppers behind their boats as shark repellents (). Powdered and dried, the pimento is converted into paprika. The leaves are used to flavor stews or as a potherb, with 4-6% protein. Red pepper has many medicinal attributes. Some South American Indians use a pepper collyrium to improve the sharpness of their vision. The fruit is regarded as stimulant, stomachic, and rubefacient. It is taken internally in cholera, for sore throat, phthisis, given with cinchona for malaria, prescribed in ague, cholera, dropsy, dyspepsia, gout, malaria, snakebite, and typhus; used externally for giddiness, earache, and hemorroids. In Panama, a poultice of pepper leaves is used for softening boils. The following story would suffer in translation: "Friede ha sacado a luz el episodio de la mujer e un encomendero del alto Magdalena, que por celos de una India, en un gesto larguiano le metio un platano untado de aji por la natura." In Ailigandi, pepper and cacao are burned for 7 or 9 days to ward off evil spirits (). Elsewhere the fruits are burned to drive off rats. The "ajillo", Capsicum baccatum, is also common. The green fruit is pickled and the ripe fruit is used in salads and sauces. The green pepper is cultivated among the Cuna, who call it caja.

Capuchino: Tropaeolum ()

Capulamate: Ficus ()

Capuli: Ardisia ()

Capulin: Mutingia (); Trema ()

Capulin blanco: Mutingia (); Trema ()

Capulincillo: Trema ()

Capulin macho: Dicraspidia (); Trema ()

Capulin sabanero: Belotia ()

Caqui: Caryocar ()

Caraco: Coussapoa ()

Caracol: Gynandropsis ()

CAracola: Achimenes (); Kohleria ()

Caracoli: Anacardium ()

Caracolito: Lithospermum ()

Caracucha: Bradburya (); Centrosema (); Plumeria ()

Caracuru: Arrabidea

Carago: Cassia ()

Caragra: Lippia ()

Caragre: Lippia ()

Caraguala: Epiphyllum ()

Caraguata: Tillandsia ()

Carajito: Eugenia ()

Caramano: Cassia ()

Carambano: Cassia ()

Carambola: Averrhoa ()

Carana : Bursera (); Carpotroche (); Casearia (); Dacryodes (); Protium (,,); Trattinnickia (); Zuelania ()

Carana: Mauritia (); Mauritiella ()

Caranganito: Cassia ()

Caranon: Zuelania ()

Carao: Cassia (,); Lonchocarpus ()

CARAPA GUIANENSIS Aubl.: Bastard Manogany (); Crabwood (); Cedro bateo (); Huino (); Masabolo (); Tangare (). the poisonous seeds of this timber species, are considered anthelmintic, antihepatic, antirheumatic, antisplenitic, antitetanic, insecticidal, and purgative. Oil from the seeds is used for soap, illumination, and insect repellent. Arount La Nueva, the fruits are used to combat acute arthritis. the wood is used for dugouts in Colombia.

Caraapato: Hirtella ()

Carare: Aristolochia ()

Carasola: Boerhaavia ()

Carate: Bomarea (); Bursera (); Diphysa (); Vismia ()

Caratero: Bursera ()

Caratosa: Bursera ()

Carbasuela: Terminalia ()

Carbon: Calliandra (); Prosopis ()

Carboncillo: Acacia (); Calliandra (); Swartzia (); Sweetia (); Tecoma (); Terminalia ()

Carboncillo blanco: Calliandra ()

Carboncillo rojo: Bejaria (); Calliandra (,)

Carbonero: Abarema (); Acacia (); Befaria (); Byrsonima (); Calliandra (); Guarea (); Licania (); Lindackeria (); Marila (); Mayna ()