Common Name: Pelican Flower

General Information

Pelican flower is a vigorous climbing shrub producing twining stems 3 metres or more long[, ]. The plant climbs into other plants for support, often covering medium-sized trees[].
The plant is harvested from the wild and used locally in traditional medicine[].

Known Hazards

The roots are reported to be poisonous to some mammals[].

Botanical References

,

Range

C. America - Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala to southern Mexico; Caribbean - West Indies.

Habitat

Along streams and in secondary-growth thickets[]. Usually in wet thickets, often on steam banks, common in secondary growth, at elevations up to 600 metres in Guatemala[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 600 metres[, ].
Prefers a well-drained, humus-rich, loamy soil and a position in full sun or partial shade[].
Plants often flower and fruit all year round[].
The plant is very unpleasantly scented[].
The flowers are very large, probably one of the largest flowers to be found in the Americas[].
The flowers of many species in this genus form an intricate trap for pollinating insects. The insects are tempted to an area of the flower where they are unable to grip and they slide down into the utricle - downward pointing hairs prevent them climbing out[]. The trap helps to ensure the fertilization of the flowers and the insects are eventually released[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are abortifacient, sudorific and emmenagogue. They are used in the treatment of snake bites[].

The leaves are sudorific[]. They are used in the treatment of colds and chills[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 48 hours in warm water and surface sow. Germinates best at a temperature of 25 - 30c[].
Softwood cuttings[].

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