Amphilophium crucigerum
(L.) L.G.Lohmann
Bignoniaceae
Anisostichus crucigera (L.) Small
Bignonia botryoides Cham.
Bignonia catharinae DC.
Bignonia crucigera L.
Bignonia echinata Aubl.
Bignonia echinata Jacq.
Bignonia hexagona DC.
Bignonia lundii DC.
Bignonia muricata DC.
Bignonia phaseoloides Cham.
Bignonia squalus Vell.
Bignonia tiliifolia Kunth
Bignonia vitalba Cham.
Neves-armondia cordifolia (Mart.) K.Schum.
Petastoma phaseoloides (Cham.) Miers
Pithecoctenium aubletii Splitg.
Pithecoctenium botryoides (Cham.) DC.
Pithecoctenium catharinae DC.
Pithecoctenium cordifolium Mart.
Pithecoctenium crucigerum (L.) A.H.Gentry
Pithecoctenium echinatum (Jacq.) Baill.
Pithecoctenium glaucum Rusby
Pithecoctenium hexagonum DC.
Pithecoctenium lundii DC.
Pithecoctenium muricatum Moc. ex DC.
Pithecoctenium phaseoloides (Cham.) Schenck
Pithecoctenium squalus (Vell.) DC.
Pithecoctenium tribrachiatum Loes.
Pithecoctenium vitalba (Cham.) DC.
Common Name:
General Information
Amphilophium crucigerum is a large climbing shrub, scrambling into the surrounding vegetation and attaching itself by means of tendrils. The stems can be 10cm or more in diameter with a loose, fibrous bark[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
2099- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 60
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1973
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains parts of the Flora of Panama, including Bignoniaceae.This, and other volumes of the series, are available for download from the Internet.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
Range
Most of the tropical and subtropical Americas from northern Argentinia and Uruguay to central Mexico, Cuba anf Jamaica
Habitat
Dry or moist thickets; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Climber |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
The fruits take almost a year to mature, and seeds are released in the middle of the dry season[
2099- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 60
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1973
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains parts of the Flora of Panama, including Bignoniaceae.This, and other volumes of the series, are available for download from the Internet.
].
The seeds can be 6 - 8cm wide but much of this comprises a large wing and the whole structure is very light in weight[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The lightness and aerodynamic stability of a descending seed make its path of descent a thing of beauty even in perfectly still air; with a breeze a seed remains airborne indefinitely. The dispersability of its seeds must be in large part responsible for the great geographic distribution of the species[
2099- Title
- Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 60
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1973
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains parts of the Flora of Panama, including Bignoniaceae.This, and other volumes of the series, are available for download from the Internet.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
A decoction of the leaves is said to be used as a lotion for treating cutaneous diseases[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
The seeds are widely used in Mexico as a remedy for headache, being moistened and stuck upon the forehead[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The hard portion of the seed is ground to a powder, mixed with tallow, and applied to the temples as a remedy for sore eyes[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
A decoction of the flowers has been used as a remedy for fevers[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Other Uses
The distinctive seed capsules have valves that are hard and woody, and covered with hard prickles. These valves are often used as rasps for scouring and cleaning various objects, or as graters[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
]. The curious rough seed capsules are also used as back scratchers, pin-cushions etc, and as children's toys[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
493- Title
- Flora of Yucatan
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The first flora that was attempted for this area in 1930, so it is obviously lacking information and the Botanical names can be out of date. Still, an excellent work and it records many plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The capsules are about 16cm long and 6cm wide, covered with hard prickles 3 - 4mm long[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
The tough stems are used for tying materials for fences, roofs etc, like those of many other Bignoniaceae[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
,
493- Title
- Flora of Yucatan
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The first flora that was attempted for this area in 1930, so it is obviously lacking information and the Botanical names can be out of date. Still, an excellent work and it records many plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
