This species has been used as a spice by people for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. and the possibility that the taxon represents a cultigen cannot be ruled out[]. The species resembles Cymbopetalum mirabile and Cymbopetalum gracile in many respects; Cymbopetalum mayanum has certain similarities in its floral morphology[].

Common Name: Mexican Earflower

General Information

Cymbopetalum penduliflorum is an evergreen tree with a pyramidal or spreading crown that usually grows from 5 - 15 metres tall, occasionally reaching 23 metres. It frequently produces multiple trunks which can range from 7 - 30cm 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[].
Cymbopetalum penduliflorum has a wide distribution and is found in numerous locations. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central America - Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Belize, north to central Mexico

Habitat

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

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Beetles
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The showy, salmon to chocolate-coloured petals have a pleasant, spicy odour[]. They are used as a spice for chocolate and other beverages[, ].
The dried petals are employed in Guatemala principally for flavouring piñol 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[]. An infusion is drunk to aid digestion and to treat asthma[]. The petals are highly esteemed as an additive to the chocolate beverage 'cacáoatl'. The petals not only provide a delicious flavour and pleasant aroma but they are also curative in that the drink reduces flatulence, thins phlegm, and warms and strengthens cold, weak stomachs and hearts[]..

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[]. The wood is a very pale brown, of medium weight, coarse textured with an interlocked grain. It is not very durable. Sawing is easy and good, planing is easy and fair, sanding is easy and good, moulding is easy, nailing is easy and good

Propagation

Seed -

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