Common Name: Mexican Earflower

General Information

Cymbopetalum penduliflorum is a tree with a pyramidal or spreading crown that usually grows from 10 - 23 metres tall with a bole that can be 25 cm or more in diameter[]. The curious, large, pendent flowers are very fragrant with petals that have fancifully been likened to the human ear[].
An ancient crop of the Aztecs in Mexico, the plant is now rarely cultivated for its flowers in Mexico and Guatemala[]. 'Orejuelas,' as the dried petals are called, are well known in many areas of Central America that are quite distant from all the places where the tree is known to grow. These petals must be produced and gathered in great quantities somewhere, to judge by their occurrence in almost every market, large or small[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Central America - Mountains of S Mexico, Guatemala and Belize.

Habitat

Usually in wet forest, at elevations below 800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The aromatic petals serve as spice for chocolate and other beverages[].
The dried petals are employed in Guatemala principally for flavouring pinol and other beverages. They were one of the favourite spices that the ancient Mexicans used for flavouring chocolate and they still are so used in some regions of Mexico, and probably also in Central America[].

Medicinal

The aromatic petals are used locally in folk medicine[].

Other Uses

The bark of this tree is sometimes employed for making rope[].

The wood is white throughout, turning a cream colour after exposure. It is susceptible to stain, and is not used so far as known[].

Propagation

Seed -

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