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Gouania polygama

(Jacq.) Urb.

Rhamnaceae Edible: Leaves - flavouring 124 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa

(c) Rob Westerduijn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Christian Grenier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Martin Reith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Description

A creeper. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 4-15 m long. It has tendrils. The stems are greyish and 3 cm across. The branches are green and have a rusty coating. The leaves are alternate and 7-15 cm long by 3-8 cm wide. The flowers are in groups 15-18 cm long. The leaves are 3 winged. The seeds are oval and light brown. They are 3 mm long.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used like hops to flavour beer.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are used like hops to flaviour beer.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Central America, Cuba, Hispaniola, Mexico, North America, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, South America, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, West Indies,

Synonyms

Gouania crenata Lam.Gouania crenata var. cordifolia DC.Gouania martinicensis Poir.Gouania pubescens Lam. ex Poir. Gouania ursinicarpa RusbyRhamnus polygama Jacq.

Also Known As

Bejuco lenatero, Limpia dientes, Mascapelo

References (2)

  • Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 397
  • World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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