Tynanthus guatemalensis

Tynanthus guatemalensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Bignoniaceae
Genus: Tynanthus
Species: T. guatemalensis
Binomial name
Tynanthus guatemalensis
Donn.Sm. [1]

Description

Tynanthus guatemalensis, commonly known as chib' iyal (Q'eqchi Maya) or ch'ajá xuu' (Yucatec Maya),[2] is a flowering plant species in the genus Tynanthus. It contains the chemical eugenol, the chemical responsible for the cinnamon aroma in the cinnamon plant. However, T. guatemalensis is not closely related to the cinnamon plant.

Distribution

Tynanthus guatemalensis is a tropical plant found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico.[3]

Uses

Tea

Tynanthus guatemalensis is popular as a tea with the Mayans.

Medicine

Tynanthus guatemalensis is used as a thirst remedy and an antidiabetic remedy among the Mayans; thirst is a symptom highly associated with diabetes. The plant is also reputed to reduce the effects of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.

Building Material

The xylem in the stem of Tynanthus guatemalensis makes it a strong material, often used for ropes and scaffolding by the Mayans.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-318567
  2. ↑ http://www.cicy.mx/sitios/flora%20digital/ficha_virtual.php?especie=1056
  3. ↑ http://www.cicy.mx/sitios/flora%20digital/ficha_virtual.php?especie=1056
Wikispecies has information related to: Tynanthus guatemalensis


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