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Economic Volume 61(2) Contents Economic Vol. 61 No. 2 Summer 2007 Research Articles 109 dissecta (): Condiment, Medicine, Ornamental, and Weed—A Review Botany Daniel F. Austin 121 Extending Darwin’s Analogy: Bridging Differences in Concepts Devoted to Past, Present, and Future Uses of by People of Selection between Farmers, Biologists, and Breeders David A. Cleveland and Daniela Soleri 137 Changes in Mass and Dimensions of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Achenes and Due to Carbonization Freek Braadbaart and Patti J. Wright

154 Computer-Assisted Morphometry: A New Method for Assess- BOTANY ECONOMIC ing and Distinguishing Morphological Variation in Wild and Domestic Populations Irwin Rovner and Ferenc Gyulai 173 Mazahua and Subsistence in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico Berenice Farfán, Alejandro Casas, Guillermo Ibarra- Manríquez, ¥

and Edgar Pérez-Negrón pp. 109Ð210 no. 2, Vol. 61, 192 Ephedra sinica Stapf (Ephedraceae): The Fleshy of Seed Cones Used in Mongolian and Its Nutritional Components Khasbagan and Soyolt Departments 198 Book Reviews ¥ Summer 2007

Merremia dissecta (Convolvulaceae): Condiment, medicine, ornamental, and weed. See Dan Austin’s review, on page 109.

Published for The Society for Economic Botany by The New York Botanical Garden Press Issued 30 June 2007 33204_U01.qxd 6/5/07 1:43 PM Page 109

Merremia dissecta (Convolvulaceae): Condiment, Medicine, Ornamental, and Weed—A Review1 Daniel F. Austin

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85743, USA; e-mail: [email protected]

Merremia dissecta (Convolvulaceae): A Condiment, Medicine, Ornamental, and Weed—A Review. Merremia dissecta was first discovered in the Caribbean, then , Mexico, and later in the Old World, where it had been introduced. Historically and currently, the species has been used as a condiment, medicine, and ornamental by an array of cultures. Although the plant has escaped in several areas to become a weed, it continues being sold as an or- nament in even those regions. In Argentina, of M. dissecta var. edentata are still used as food by a few indigenous groups. History, uses, and chemistry are discussed regarding these utilizations.

Merremia dissecta (Convolvulaceas): Un condimento, medicina, ornamental, y maleza— Una revista. Merremia dissecta fue primeramente descubierta en el Caribe, luego en la Florida, México y más tarde fue introducida en el Viejo Mundo. Históricamente y aún ac- tualmente se ha usado como condimento, medicina, y ornamentación por varias culturas. A pesar de que en varias áreas se ha transformado en una mala hierba, se continua vendiendo como un ornamento aún en esas areas. En Argentina, las raices de M. dissecta var. edentata aún son usadas como alimento por unos cuantos grupos indígenas. La historia, los usos y la química de estas utilizaciónes son aquí discutidas. Key Words: Noyau, naturalized exotic, Ayurveda, Unani, edible roots, cyanogenic glyco- sides, .

A fence is covered with Merremia dissecta purposes that people grow and move these plants (Jacquin) Hallier f. near where a main street ends at are varied, because the are used in condi- the base of the Tucson Mountains in the southwest- ments, medicines, and as ornamentals. There is ern part of the city. Within towns elsewhere in Ari- even one report of the roots being eaten in Ar- zona, the species appears occasionally in other yards gentina. This discussion brings together the scat- (Austin 1998). For a long time I thought that the tered data on associations with humans to compare people were growing the twiners solely for orna- it with where the vines were introduced and the ment. The white flowers with red centers are attrac- area of nativity of these American plants. tive, as are the finely lobed and toothed (Fig. 1). Since the 1990s, more information has been Discovery and Distribution gathered; the story of cultivation is not always Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin discovered the simple. Plants are cultivated in many parts of the vines now known as Merremia dissecta in the world, but most books on and useful Caribbean between 1755 and 1759. He called plants do not list this species. Merremia dissecta is, the plants dissectus in his book Ob- however, important to people for several other rea- servationum Botanicarum published in 1767. The sons as it has been since at least the 1800s. The next year, Philip Miller (1768) named the same plants Convolvulus palmatus, either not knowing Jacquin’s book, or not realizing they were the 1 Received 27 November 2006; accepted 21 Febru- same species. It was only in 1773 that William ary 2007. Bartram found the species in northern Florida

Economic Botany, 61(2), 2007, pp. 109–120. © 2007, by The New York Botanical Garden Press, Bronx, NY 10458-5126 U.S.A. 33204_U01.qxd 6/5/07 1:43 PM Page 110

110 ECONOMIC BOTANY [VOL. 61 Left, original drawing by Jacquin (1767). Right, by author (Austin 1979). author (Austin (1767). Right, by Jacquin Left, original drawing by Merremia dissecta Merremia Fig. 1. Fig. 33204_U01.qxd 6/5/07 1:43 PM Page 111

2007] AUSTIN: MERREMIA DISSECTA – A REVIEW 111

(Bartram 1943; Harper 1958). Both Jacquin (Fig. ered native, having been discovered by Bartram 1) and Bartram illustrated the species. in 1773 (Bartram 1943; Harper 1958) and in Jacquin did not record the island where he got 1774 by Michaux (1803; Taylor and Norman the seeds that were subsequently planted in Vi- 2002). Pursh (1814) knew M. dissecta from both enna and that served as the basis of the illustration Florida and Georgia. he published. He wrote “. . . nec occurrit certus Moreover, the species has a distribution that collectionis locus” (“without occurring in any par- encompasses the entire circum-Caribbean region ticular collection”). By contrast, Bartram found (Fig. 2) and it appears to be part of the native the plants in northern Florida in what now com- U.S. flora. Still, there had been ample time for prises Levy and Putnam Counties (Harper 1958). Europeans and others to have moved the plants Miller’s specimen came from Veracruz, Mexico farther north by the time it was seen by Bartram (McDonald 1993). Not long afterward, the same and Michaux, and it is clear that people did move species was found in Cuba (Ortega 1798), Geor- it elsewhere in the world. These plants are more gia (Michaux 1803; Pursh 1814), and a number common in coastal areas. Frequency along the of other places in the Americas. These vines have coasts may be associated with the statements by now been spread around the world (Fig. 2), and both Michaux (1803) and Pursh (1814) that M. have become naturalized in many places. dissecta grew in calcareous soils. Within Florida, the species is now spread Weeds throughout the state. Wunderlin and Hansen’s There is disagreement about whether or not (2004) map shows records from Escambia to this species is native to the southern United Duval and south to Dade Counties. States. Some consider it a native, although others Shinners (1970) did not mark this species as think it alien (e.g., Wunderlin and Hansen 2003; alien in Texas as he did others; he considered it Weakley 2006). native. Diggs et al. (1999) also thought the plants Certainly, by comparison with others, it was were native to Texas, at least as far north as Travis found in the region early enough to be consid- County.

Fig. 2. World distribution of M. dissecta. Closed circles = specimen seen. Open circles = literature reports. “A” = Adventive. 33204_U01.qxd 6/5/07 1:43 PM Page 112

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By contrast, there are several places in the and Dalziel (1931) were more exact and wrote that United States where the is not native. Mer- it was cultivated there and had escaped. In Asia, remia dissecta is adventive in Alabama, Arizona, Hallier (1896), Ooststroom (1939), and Oost- Louisiana, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania. The stroom and Hoogland (1953) noted the species in Arizona report is based on plants growing outside gardens of Malesia, particularly Java. Mansur a single subdivision in the Tucson Mountains (2001) also recorded the vines being cultivated in (Rondeau et al. 1996), but she did not make a Southeast Asia. The plants do well in gardens in voucher of the plants (Jenkins pers. comm. Australia, and are grown there in at least New 2006). The species is unknown in the wild else- South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, and where in the region (Austin 1998). The record Western Australia (Northern Territory Government for Pennsylvania is a single specimen taken from 2006). ballast ca. 1865 (Rhodes and Klein 1993). Simi- Seeds are offered for sale in the United States larly, single specimens are known from Alabama by many organizations (e.g., Isaacson 2000 and B (Kral in 1971, MO), Louisiana (Thomas and & T World Seeds 2005). They are being sought Allen 1996), and Mississippi (in 1996, Lockley for replacement in the New Orleans City Park s.n. VSC). Plants in Georgia have been known since Hurricane Katrina (New Orleans City Park since the late 1700s when they were found there Improvement Association 2006). by Michaux (1803), in Decatur, Glynn, and There are several places in Germany where Wayne Counties (Jones and Coile 1988; Carter seeds are listed (e.g., Rare Plants 2006). Even in pers. comm. 2006). Nancy Coile (pers. comm. Australia, where M. dissecta is considered a terri- 2006) and Richard Carter, who know the living ble weed, seeds are for sale (e.g., Herbalistics flora there, are undecided about its nativity. Oc- 2006). Seeds are similarly sold in Taiwan (Plant currence of the species in five of these states is ad- Seeds 2006). ventive. Although it may be native to southern Georgia, it is adventive farther north in that state. Flavoring and Medicines These climbers are clearly alien in the Old Although flavoring and medicines may seem to World. By the 1900s or earlier the species was be distinct, they are not to many people. Food, there and was included by some floras (e.g., Ren- condiments, and medicines are not considered dle 1905; Hutchinson and Dalziel 1931; Oost- separate from each other in numerous cultures stroom 1939). Similarly, there is no doubt that around the world (Etkin 2006). Several of the M. dissecta is an exotic in Australia as has been plant’s common names refer to the smell or taste noted numerous times (e.g., Barker et al. 2005; of almonds (Table 1). The almond taste (amyg- Groves et al. 2005). Humans have been moving dalin and associated compounds) has a long his- this species around, probably both purposefully tory of involvement with humans, regardless of its and accidentally, for many decades. source(s). Zohary and Hopf (2000) found that al- Maranhão and Irgang (2005) considered the monds (Prunus dulcis (Miller) D. A. Webb plants alien in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, [=Amygdalus communis L.]) were domesticated in however they do not record which variety. Mer- the Mediterranean not later than the third millen- remia dissecta var. edentata is native there (O’- nium BC. The many names for almond in south- Donell 1941; Austin and Staples 1980; Austin eastern European languages indicate a long history and Cavalcante 1982; Bianchini pers. comm. of human use in the region. These names include 2006). those based on Greek a, such as Latin amygdalus, the Hebrew shaked and luz, Aramaic Ornamentals luz, as well as lauz [lõz] in Arabic, Kurdish, and Merremia dissecta is cultivated in the United other Semitic languages. Although neither the al- States (Menninger 1964; Hortorium 1976; Ron- mond nor apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is native deau et al. 1996; Austin 1998). Farther south in in the British Isles, the English were making a the Americas, the species is rarely grown, perhaps liqueur flavored with the kernels by 1785. The use because plants are so abundant in wild places and of native British Prunus and almond- in villages. In the Old World, however, they are flavored seeds for a variety of purposes is widely cultivated. doubtlessly older in England as it was in Germany Rendle (1905) recorded the species in Africa and (cf. sloe gin in Fuchs 1542; Duke et al. 2002). Ar- considered M. dissecta “cosmopolitan.” Hutchinson chaeological materials show that Prunus fruits 33204_U01.qxd 6/5/07 1:43 PM Page 113

2007] AUSTIN: MERREMIA DISSECTA – A REVIEW 113 (Continued) historically was Aguinaldo . ; it is generic for members of the Convolvulaceae. San Antonio, Texas came to be “The Alamo.” One is that at one time there came to be “The One Alamo.” Texas Antonio, San cavalry unit near it; the other says a Spanish was a large cottonwood growing of Alamo de Parras, the town in the early 1800s came from stationed there Why and when this name was ap- Coahuila, and named it after their home. after the famous plied to these vines is undetermined, but it was probably battle of 1836. diuretic. Merremia Merremia dissecta corregüela Some common names for Some common . 1 Table Table , dabò , gift, Spanish/Cuba 1945, Leon and Alain 1957/ Roig , Spanish/Texas is spelled the word Spanish European 1970/ In Shinners , to tie) Portuguese/Brazil 1992 Kissman and Groth rumpus, Republic Spanish/Dominican Liogier 1974/Could this be applied because of the gossip , of the 12) , tooth, aguinaldo , climber, vine), climber, in drinks taverns? flavoring ( , of the guitar correhuela dan amarrar ( cottonwood, Spanish-English/Texas of why the mission in two versions are 1970/There Shinners de las doce ] (come-come) Antilles Papiamento/Netherland alludes to the use as a et al. 2004/This probably Hawthorne bochinche, bejuco ( (tie-tie, reduplication (tie-tie, reduplication de viola , of almonds) in English. of “Christmas flower” This is the equivalent a gift at Christmas. ( alamo, (little almond) Republic Spanish/Dominican Liogier 1974 (little bell) Mexico Spanish/Veracruz, 1993 McDonald (little bell) Portuguese/Brazil 1992 Kissman and Groth spp.) (wild [one]) Mexico Spanish/Veracruz, 1993 McDonald bini-bini [ (maybe from (maybe from () Portuguese/Brazil 1992 Kissman and Groth , string) Portuguese/Brazil 1992 Kissman and Groth de almendra Populus based on of words brawl, gossip [slang in Caribbean], bar or tavern, 1548) other plants; in use by around English/Floridacorda morning glory, 1943 1958, Bartram 1773 in Harper Bartram perhaps because of the fences? Or that goes on over first of all) Kreole/Hispaniola Liogier 1974 Common Nameaguinaldo de almendra alamo vine ( almendrillo amarra-amarra bejuco bochinche (alluding to the wrapping bind-weed Language/Regionbinibini campainha campanilla cimarrón corda-de-viola de las doce correhuela corriola cutleaf morning glorydandab Source/Notes English/Florida 2003 Perkins 33204_U01.qxd 6/5/07 1:43 PM Page 114

114 ECONOMIC BOTANY [VOL. 61 ver amandes de for more and was prepared from the “ from and was prepared noyau ] à [ liane Source/Notes and became “noyau water” in Caribbean English. water” and became “noyau eau crème de noyau ” (kernels of stone fruits). This may have been shortenedThis may have o ” (kernels of stone fruits). artorell 1982, Wunderlin and Hansen 2003, and Hansen Wunderlin 1982, artorell eau de noyau Mansur 2001 Mansur USDA 2006/ See above above USDA 2006/ See “meeny-weeny” used by Morton (1981). Morton used by “meeny-weeny” was apparently was apparently fruits a noyau time to Fang and Staples 1995 and Staples Fang Yoneda 1998-2004 Yoneda Arenas 2003 Arenas Rondeau et al. 1996 Rondeau Kissman and Groth 1992 Kissman and Groth Fournet 1978 Fournet Fournet 1978 Fournet Wolff 2006 Wolff Liogier and Martorell 1982, Nicholson 2005 1982, Nicholson Liogier and Martorell Fournet 1978/This is probably the same name as 1978/This is probably Fournet Ooststroom 1939, Ooststroom and Hoogland 1953, and Hoogland 1939, Ooststroom Ooststroom Arenas Arenas 2003 Liogier 1974, Fournet 1978/In Europe the original phrase Europe 1978/In Liogier 1974, Fournet (Continued). . 1 Table Table amaica, Barbados, amaica, Barbados, Language/Region Puerto Rico Puerto Chinese/China Japanese/Japan Wichi/Argentina Portuguese from Tupí/Brazil from Portuguese French/Haiti, Guadalupe, Martinique Guadalupe, French/Haiti, Martinique French/Guadalupe, English/Arizona , ] (?)] Toba-pilagá/Argentina , vigne kernel, Rico Puerto Florida, English/Caribbean, Liogier and M ) Tongan?/Tonga , huang, jetica , , the Martinique French/Guadalupe, fish , from , from noyau, vini mener , yu, , false, M. peltata hiru-gao (bitter almond vine) Martinique French/Guadalupe, split rana ] ( , from , from , see below) (kernel vine) , , , leaf, (kernel vine) , ); , lie, qaik la’ta#, na’qaik la’ta# na’qaik qaik la’ta#, ha mene (?) ( # [ , cao noyou jitirana noyau cut, many (also used for [ ] à [ duo, kire, sulphur (simplified characters) ( ) sweet ( mid-day face) French near mid-day) stone, pit) trumpet call used to herd, lead, or trumpet call used to herd, so maybe an allusion livestock, drive shape, to the corolla vine) speed at which it grows) fue mea Common Name duo lie yu huang cao jetirana kirehahirugao know-you [noyó, no-yo] (corruption no-yo] of [noyó, know-you J English/Antigua, Creole liane liane z’amande la’ta na’qae neikwi’tax the of flowering (from noon-flower southeastern Asia English/Malesia, French vine (from noyau liane-amande-amère méné-vini mile-a-minute-vine (alluding to the 33204_U01.qxd 6/5/07 1:43 PM Page 115

2007] AUSTIN: MERREMIA DISSECTA – A REVIEW 115 seems . patico buho zweet. = is a word sometimes is a word is Spanish, but is Spanish, pudín Tecolote sterke drank; swetie drank; sterke = haar; sopie . = pastica seed-company. wiwirie apply it to the great horned owl, also called horned owl, apply it to the great Ooststroom 1932/Dutch equivalents of Sranan are are of Sranan equivalents 1932/Dutch Ooststroom (Continued). . 1 Table Table Draton’s Island, Lake George, Putnam Co., Co., Putnam Lake George, Island, Draton’s Florida , , sopie, , is Mexico Spanish/Veracruz, et al. 1999/ García-Argáez sweet , little paste, d’amande , owl) Others and the larger barn owl. such as the screech applied to the small owls , hair) Dutch]/Suriname [Creole Sranan tecolote ) Louisiana English/Florida, 2003 Hutchinson , pudding, or from from or pudding, , is a corruption the word Probably in French. (Queensland (Queensland German/Germany a commercial Röpke 2006/This is a name used by pastica swietie, ( ( , dough) Spanish/Venezuela 1926 Pittier de almendras , paste, , a nonsense word , a nonsense word Liogier 1974/Which language this name may be is ( tecolotl wiwirie pâte boudin pasta , of almonds,) Republic Dominican Spanish/ Liogier 1974 ( (owl eye; eye; (owl patico Holzrose ( (-) French/Reunion Bourgeois et al. 2006 (1,000 footprints, because of wudu rosan , prostitute; allusion obscure), prostitute; Creole?/Hispaniola of , pudding in Spanish; or maybe , pudding in Spanish; although it is nor Spanish, to appear in neither Creole (, application obscure) Mexico Spanish/Veracruz, 1993 McDonald from Náhuatl from of almonds, 1000 as de almendras almond) rhymes, added as filler in French pudín French from putain wood-rose) Martinique Guadalupe, Guiana, the shape of leaves) French/French et al. 2006 1978, DeFilipps Fournet drink, strong Nigeria Hausa/N. The word problematical. 1937 Dalziel growing in woodlands, in use by ca. in woodlands, use by growing palmated Convolvuluspasta de almendras Levy Co.; Long Pond, English/at 1958 1773 in Harper Bartram Common Nameojo de tecolote pastica de almendras Language/Region Source/Notes pâte d’amande patico pudín de bois rose sandía sawu dubu sprain-bushswietie sopie wiwirie Martinique Petit Grenada, English/Carriacou, et al. 2004 Hawthorne Queensland- creeperwhite convolvulous (originally applied to plants wood-rose Australia English/northwestern 2006 CRC 33204_U01.qxd 6/5/07 1:43 PM Page 116

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were eaten in Europe by A.D. 1000 and perhaps bush” that the plant was used to treat sprains in as early as 200 B.C. (Priest-Dorman 1999). the Spice Islands of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Noyau was in French by 1530 (Table 1), hav- Martinique. Morton (1981) learned from indige- ing been written noiel in the 13th century, in nous people in Curaçao that a hot infusion of turn based on Latin nucalis, similar to a nut “binibini” was given to relieve urinary infections. (nux), and came into English from French before Veeris (1999) recorded similar uses. DeFilipps et the 1700s (OED Online 2003). By 1721 the al. (2006) wrote that a decoction of the plant was phrase eau de noyau (almond liqueur) was in use considered an effective external remedy for scabies in both languages (cf. Table 1 for more). Noyau in and itch in the Guianas. García-Argáez et al. Caribbean French, but not in France, is a word (1999) listed similar use in Mexico. clearly associated with almond odor and taste, al- Outside the Americas, the species is also used. though it specifically refers to kernel, pit, or Dalziel (1937) recorded that in Nigeria a cold in- stone. The seed within is amande for any species. fusion was a remedy for giddiness and that in the Subsequently, noyau came to be associated with Gold Coast it is given as a treatment for chest liquors flavored with almond or peach stones, complaints in children. Ved et al. (2002) noted e.g., Noyau de Poissy, one of the oldest liquors in that the plants were used in “folk” medicine in France; established in 1698. three agro-climatic regions (Andhra, Telangana, When the Europeans settled the New World Rayalseema) of Andhra Pradesh, India. Merremia they brought these ideas and practices to their dissecta is not, however, employed in Ayurveda or new homeland. However, the indigenous people Unani systems, indicating a recent introduction were inventive, imaginative, and inquisitive, and to medicine as would be expected for a compara- probably already had discovered the almond tively new plant. Mansur (2001) found that M. smell and flavor of M. dissecta on their own. Still, dissecta was employed to treat snakebite and in- no records were found of any American use of toxication in Africa. this vine before Europeans arrived. Americans did Akana et al. (1922) called two plants kowali use fruits and seeds of Prunus throughout its awa (harbor morning glory) and kowali pehu American range (cf. Austin 2004), so they were (swollen morning glory). They said that these well acquainted with the almond smell and taste. have leaves “that resemble the palm of the hand,” When and where M. dissecta began being used white flowers, and that leaves of the latter kind in the New World is unknown, but most records are thicker and more round than the former. The are from Caribbean and near-Caribbean people. two climbers were identified by H. F. Bergman, a Since the native range of M. dissecta var. dissecta professor of botany at the University of Hawai’i, includes that region, this pattern is not surpris- as insularis (= I. indica (J. Burman) Mer- ing. The year 1864, when Renato de Grosourdy rill) and I. dissecta (= Merremia dissecta). No published El médico botánico criollo, seems to be vouchers were made and the identity is spurious the earliest record of use by people in the Ameri- for the second species. This situation was cor- cas, although that publication surely was pre- rected by Pukui and Elbert (1971) who listed I. ceded by a long history. alba for koali pehu. Pukui and Elbert were well Petersen (1974) wrote that in the Virgin Is- versed in botany and their identification is prob- lands “Extract from the leaves of this vine, which ably correct, particularly since M. dissecta was not smells almost like almond essence, is used as a fla- recorded in Hawaii until 1955 (Imada et al. voring in cake and sweet breads and candy. 2005), and is not included among useful Hawai- Noyau water also has a taste of prussic acid and is ian plants by Degener (1973) or Krauss (1974). used in preparation of a liquor called Noyau.” Moerman (1998), using the misleading Akana et As medicine, Roig (1945) found that Cubans al. (1922), incorrectly thought that M. dissecta recommended crushed leaves as a sedative and for had been used as an analgesic, dermatological aid, use in tisanes (infusions). Both forms were used laxative, orthopedic aid, pediatric aid, and for chest problems, applied against inflammation, strengthener in Hawai’i. and work as “resolutivas y sedativas a la par” For Trinidad and Tobago, Williams and Williams (emollients and sedatives at the same time). (1969) simply indicate that M. dissecta is poison- In Antigua and Barbuda, Grant (1995) noted ous to cattle. Mansur (2001) found the same that M. dissecta was used to treat colds. Hawthorne problem in India. Those problems must be et al. (2004) infer by the common name “sprain- caused by the prussic acid in foliage and seeds. 33204_U01.qxd 6/5/07 1:43 PM Page 117

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Indeed, Nahrstedt et al. (1989, 1990) found that While there are clear similarities between these leaves and seeds contain several cyanogenic glyco- two variations, corollas are completely white in sides, including amygdalin, its 6”-(4-hydroxy) M. dissecta var. edentata but white with a reddish- benzoate, and its 6”-(4-hydroxy)-E-cinnamate, purplish center in M. dissecta var. dissecta. More- prunasin, and 6’-O-malonylprunasin. over, the average longer (20–35 mm.) in Alemán-Frias et al. (1972) did not detect var. edentata than in var. dissecta (18–25 mm.). them, but Jenett-Siems et al. (2005) identified 32 Leaf lobes in var. dissecta are toothed while those alkaloids in the roots, among them 6 pyrrolidines in var. edentata are mostly entire. and 26 tropanes. Some minor metabolites they Arenas (2003) found only some of the Tobas called merresectines were a novel type of tropane using the plants, and although the Wichí formerly characterized by prenylated benzoyl moi- used them assiduously, only those in more remote eties as acyl components. Another novel con- villages still do. Roots are cut up if large, but left in- gener, merredissine, was characterized as 3-,6-- tact if small. The roots are put in a pot and boiled, di-(4-methoxybenzoyloxy)tropane. Moreover, or sometimes they are baked in ashes. Cooked roots calystegine B2, a polyhydroxynortropane, was de- are eaten with abundant oil as a dressing. Arenas tected in the flowers (Schimming et al. 2005). thought that they tasted a little like the batata (Ipo- García-Argáez et al. (1999) found other com- moea batatas), although they tended to be insipid. pounds. These authors discovered several caffeate Formerly they were taken entirely from wild places, esters in both M. dissecta and M. tuberosa (L.) but a few individuals now cultivate them in their Rendle. Merremia dissecta included a novel 6- home gardens. This is an important food only dur- methylheptadecanoyl caffeate, as well as lupeol, ing the winter drought period. -sitosterol, and stigmasterol. Chemistry indicates that the early comparison Summary and Discussion with almond taste and notation that M. dissecta Merremia dissecta was discovered in the 1700s contains cyanogenic compounds were correct. at nearly the same time in Florida, the Caribbean, Not surprisingly, Sena et al. (1997) found that and Mexico. Subsequently, the species was di- extracts of the plants were antimicrobial. vided into two varieties, M. dissecta var. dissecta (Caribbean region) and M. dissecta var. edentata Food (South America, south of the Amazon River). The only record found of the roots being eaten Common names, ethnobotany, history, and dis- was recently published by Arenas (2003). Only tributions indicate that this species has been used M. dissecta var. edentata (Meisner) O’Donell is by humans for multiple purposes. Variety dissecta native in the Gran Chaco, Argentina, where Are- was moved around the world by the 1800s, al- nas worked with the Toba and Wichí people (Fig. though the South American var. edentata has not 2), although there are scattered locations where been transported outside its native range. People M. dissecta var. dissecta has been introduced. moved var. dissecta because it is considered a The second variety is restricted to South Amer- condiment, medicine, and an ornamental ica and has not been dispersed outside that region climber. These various uses date from at least the (Fig. 2). Those plants were first discovered in 1800s. While the species has a venerable history Brazil, grown in the botanical garden in Bonn of human association and use beyond being culti- (horto botanico Bonoiensi), and called Ipomoea vated simply as an ornamental, it has not received fulva by Giuseppe Bertolini in 1838. Then wide acknowledgment for its various uses. Even George Gardner found them in Rio de Janeiro in horticultural literature, the species has been and called them I. nigricans in 1842. Meisner, slighted. Merremia dissecta deserves wider recog- studying the family for Martius’s Brasiliensis, nition and more study, particularly because of its did not think that the climbers should be given association with an almond flavor, use to enhance specific rank and called them I. dissecta var. eden- food taste, and in medicines. tata in 1869. Meisner (1869) was obviously con- fused by this problem, because he also named Acknowledgments them I. maximiliani in spite of their having two Specimens were examined at A, ARIZ, ASU, previous epithets at species rank. It was not until C, COL, DBG, DUKE, F, FTG-FAU, GH, IAN, O’Donell (1941) examined the genus that the va- INPA, K, L, MEXU, MG, MO, MSU, NY, P, riety was moved to M. dissecta var. edentata. PDA, RAW, S, U, UC, US, and VEN. Distribu- 33204_U01.qxd 6/5/07 1:43 PM Page 118

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tions are based on specimens and literature re- www.prpv.org/index.php/fr/content/down ports. I thank curators for access to specimens load/1583/12806/file/CIRAD%20depliant%20her and loans. Pastor Arenas (Toba, Wichí) pointed bicide.pdf. out to me the roots being used as food, and Ale- CRC. 2006. CRC weed management. Bushland- jandro Velasco Levy (Spanish) and Richard Moy- friendly gardens: Plants to avoid in your region. http://www.weedscrc.katalyst.com.au/bushland roud (French) graciously helped with translating friendlygardens/bfg_home.html. names. Mary Stiffler (Missouri Botanical Garden Dalziel, J. M. 1937. The useful plants of west tropical Library) kindly provided old literature. Richard Africa. Crown Agents for Oversea Governments Carter (VSC), Nancy Coile (Florida Department and Administrations, London. of , retired), Philip D. Jenkins DeFilipps, R. A., S. L. Maina, and J. Crepin. 2006. (ARIZ), and Rosangela Simão-Bianchini (SP) Medicinal Plants of the Guianas. http://www.mnh provided data on the plants. .si.edu/biodiversity/bdg/medicinal/. Degener, O. 1973. Plants of Hawaii National Park Il- Literature cited lustrative of Plants and Customs of the South Seas. Braun-Brumfeld, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI. Akana, A., D. M. Kaaiakamanu, and J. K. Akina. Diggs, G. M. J., B. L. Lipscomb, and R. J. O’Kennon. 1922. Hawaiian of medicinal value. Pacific 1999. Shinners & Mahler’s Illustrated Flora of Book House, Honolulu. Facsimile reprint, 1976. North Central Texas. Center for Environmental Charles E. Tuttle Co., Rutland, VT. Studies and Department of Biology, Austin Col- Alemán-Frias, E., O. Aurich, L. Escurra-Ferrer, M. lege, Sherman, TX and Botanical Research Institute Guttiérez-Vásquez, C. Horstmann, J. López-Ren- of Texas (BRIT), Fort Worth, TX. dueles, E. Rodríguez-Graquitena, E. Roquel- Duke, J. A., M. J. Bogenschutz-Godwin, J. duCellier, Casabella, and K. Schreiber. 1972. Phytochemische P.-A. K. Duke. 2002. Handbook of medicinal Untersuchungen an Pflanzen der kubanischen herbs. Second Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Flora. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution Raton, FL. 19(1):359–425. Etkin, N. L. 2006. Edible medicines: An ethnophar- Arenas, P. 2003. Etnografía y Alimentación entre los macology of food. The University of Arizona Press, Toba-Ñachilamole#ek y Wichí-Lhuku’tas del Tucson, AZ. Chaco Central (Argentina). Published by the au- Fang, R.-Z. and G. W. Staples. 1995. Convolvulaceae. thor, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Pages 271–325 in C.-Y. Wu and P. Raven, eds., Austin, D. F. 1979. Studies of the Florida Flora of China (Vol. 16). Science Press and Mis- Convolvulaceae-II. Merremia. Florida Scientist souri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing and St. Louis, 42(4):216–222. MO. ——— 1998. Convolvulaceae Morning Glory Family. Fournet, J. 1978. Flore illustree des phanerogames de Pages 61–83 in Editorial committee, eds., Manual Guadelupe et de Martinique. Institut National de of the vascular plants of Arizona. Arizona-Nevada la Recherche Agronomique, Paris. Academy of Sciences Vol. 30(2). Fuchs, L. 1542. De Historia Stirpium Commentarii ——— 2004. Florida Ethnobotany. CRC Press LLC, Insignes. CD-ROM facsimile, Octavo Edition, Boca Raton, FL. Oakland, CA. ——— and G. W. Staples. 1980. Neotropical Con- García-Argáez, A. N., M. C. Pérez-Amador, E. volvulaceae Part I. Unpublished mss. Aguirre-Hernández, and M. Martínez-Vásquez. ——— and P. B. Cavalcante. 1982. Convolvuláceas da 1999. Two new caffeate esters from roots of Mer- Amazônia. Publicações Avulsas, Museu Paraense remia tuberosa and M. dissecta. Planta Medica Emilio Goeldi 36: 1–134. 65:678–679. B & T World Seeds. 2005. http://www.b-and-t-world Grant, L. C. 1995. Antigua and Barbuda: Country re- -seeds.com. port to the FAO International Technical Conference Barker, W. R., R. M. Barker, J. P. Jessop, and H. P. on Plant Genetic Resources. Leipzig, Germany. Vonow, eds. 2005. Census of South Australian Vas- Groves, R. H., R. Boden, and W. M. Lonsdale. 2005. cular Plants, 5th Edition. Journal of the Adelaide Jumping the garden fence: Invasive garden plants in Botanic Gardens Supplement 1. Botanic Gardens Australia and their environmental and agricultural of Adelaide & State Herbarium Adelaide. impacts. CSIRO report prepared for WWF- Bartram, W. 1943. Travels in Georgia and Florida, Australia. WWF-Australia, Sidney. 1773–74. A report to Dr. John Fothergill. (Francis Hallier, H. 1896. Systematischverzicht van de Con- Harper, ed.). Transactions American Philosophical volvulaceeen, gekweekt in ’sLands Plantentuin. Ver- Society 33, pt. 2. slag omtrent den staat van ’S Lands plantentuin te Bourgeois, T., G. Lebreton, P. Marnotte, L. Dijoux, J. Buitenzorg over het jaar 1895, Batavia. J. Esther, and E. Jeuffrault. 2006. Enherbements et Harper, F., ed. 1958. The travels of William Bartram, herbicides de la Canne à sucre à la Réunion. http:// 33204_U01.qxd 6/5/07 1:43 PM Page 119

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