Paullinia-Pemphis (Sturtevant, 1919)

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Sturtevant, Notes on edible plants, 1919 Paullinia-Pemphis (Sturtevant, 1919)

Pennisetum-Persea →

Paullinia cupana H. B. & K.

Sapindaceae.

Brazil. The seeds are mingled with cassava and water and allowed to ferment, forming the favorite drink of the Orinoco Indians. The pounded seeds form guarana bread. This bread is made by the Indians and is highly esteemed in Brazil. About 16000 pounds are exported from Santarem. The bread is grated into sugar and water and forms a diet drink. Its active principle is a substance called guaranine, which is identical in composition with the thein of tea.

Paullinia subrotunda Pers.

Royle says this plant has an edible aril. Henfrey says the seeds are eaten.

Pavetta indica Linn.

Rubiaceae.

Asia and tropical Australia. The fruit, which is of a green color, is eaten by the natives but is oftener made into a pickle.

Pectinaria articulata Haw.

Asclepiadeae.

South Africa. Thunberg n says this thick plant without leaves, is eaten, after being pickled, by the Hottentots, and also by the colonists.

Pedalium murex Linn.

Pedaliaceae.

Tropical eastern Asia. The leafy stems, says Drury, are used in thickening buttermilk, to which they give a rich appearance. Roxburgh says venders of buttermilk are in the habit of diluting their merchandise with water and then thickening the mixture with this plant, which makes the adulterated article seem rich and of the best sort. A. Smith says that water becomes mucilaginous by being simply stirred with the fresh branches of this plant.

Pedicularis langsdorffi Fisch.

Scrophulariaceae. LOUSEWORT.

Arctic regions. Ainslie says the leaves are employed as a substitute for tea by the inhabitants of the Kurile Islands.

Pelargonium acetosum Soland.

Geraniaceae. STORK'S BILL.

Cape of Good Hope. The buds and acid leaves are eaten.

Pelargonium peltatum Ait.

South Africa. At the Cape of Good Hope, the buds and acid leaves are eaten.

Pelargonium triste Ait.

South Africa. Syme says the tubers are eaten at the Cape of Good Hope.

Pelargonium zonale L'Herit.

South Africa. The leaves and stalks are eaten in Yemen.

Peltandra virginica Rafin.

Araceae. ARROW ARUM. VIRGINIAN WAKE ROBIN.

Eastern North America. Bartram told Kalm that the Indians ate the boiled spadix and berries as a luxury. When the berries are raw they have a harsh, pungent taste, which they lose in great measure upon boiling. The Indians also eat the roots cooked but never raw, as they are then reckoned poisonous.

Peltaria alliacea Jacq.

Cruciferae. GARLIC CRESS.

Central Europe. This plant is classed as an edible by botanists.

Pemphis acidula Forst.

Lythraceae.

Tropical Asia and islands of the Pacific. The leaves are used as a potherb along the shores.