Common Name:

General Information

Triumfetta bogotensis is a shrub or a perennial herb with stems that are woody at the base. The stems, which are often much-branched, are 1 - 1.5 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its fibre, and is also used to clarify syrup when making sugar.

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[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru; north through the Caribbean and through Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

Moist, wet, or dry thickets, sometimes in pine-oak forest, at elevations from 500 - 2,200 metres in Guatemala[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].

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[].

Medicinal

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[].

Other Uses

A strong, fine fibre is obtained from the bark[].

The tough, flexible branches are sometimes used for making rough brooms or brushes[].

Propagation

Seed -

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