Triumfetta bogotensis

DC.

Malvaceae Edible: Leaves - mucilage Potential hazards — see below 14 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Description

A herb or shrub that keeps growing from year to year. The stems are woody at the base. They are much branched and grow 1-1.5 m tall.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

An astringent mucilage obtained from the plant is used for clarifying syrup. The leaves and bark contain a sweet, slightly astringent mucilage that is used to purify or clarify syrup when making sugar.

Traditional Uses

The mucilage from the plant is used to clarify syrup.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The sap is more or less mucilaginous. The boiled extract of the plant is used as a remedy for jaundice; for treating inflammation of the stomach; and for gonorrhoea.

Known Hazards

The burs of these plants are a great nuisance, clinging tenaciously to clothing and to the pelage of animals, being thus dispersed widely. The manes and tails of horses sometimes become so filled with these burs that the hair must be cut away.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru,

Cultivation

A plant of low to moderate elevations in the tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations from sea level to over 2,200 metres. The plant produces seed capsules covered in hooked spines that adhere strongly to animal fur, clothing etc, and are thus easily transported to new sites. The 'mozotes' or burs of these plants are a great nuisance, especially in the lowlands, where they most abound. They cling tenaciously to clothing and to the pelage of animals, being thus dispersed widely. The manes and tails of horses sometimes become so filled with the burs that the hair must be cut away.

Other Uses

A strong, fine fibre is obtained from the bark. The tough, flexible branches are sometimes used for making rough brooms or brushes.

Synonyms

Triumfetta dumetorum Schltdl.and several others

Also Known As

Mozote

References (2)

D'Ambrosio, U., & Puri, R. K., 2016, Foodways in transition: food plants, diet and local perceptions of change in a Costa Rican Ngäbe community. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2016) 12:3 p 27
Ferns, Useful Tropical plants