''Stromanthe stromanthoides'' is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

of plant in the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Marantaceae The Marantaceae are a family, the arrowroot family, or the prayer plant family, of flowering plants consisting of 31 genera and around 530 species, defining it as one of the most species-rich families in its order. Kennedy, H. (2000). “Diversif ...

. It is native to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and northern Brazil. It was first described by

James Francis Macbride James Francis Macbride (19 May 1892 16 June 1976) was an American botanist who devoted most of his professional life to the study of the flora of Peru. Early life and education Born on 19 May 1891 in Rock Valley, Iowa, MacBride graduated from th ...

, and given its current name by Bengt Lennart Andersson.

Names

Quechua Quechua may refer to: *Quechua people, several Indigenous ethnic groups in South America, especially in Peru *Quechuan languages, an Indigenous South American language family spoken primarily in the Andes, derived from a common ancestral language ...

spoken in Ecuador, ''Stromanthe stromanthoides'' is called ''llaki panga'', which literally means 'loving leaves'. The plant is called ''soin kakie'' in Kofán and ''mihnan pehi'' in Capanahua. It is called ''pambu'' and ''bijao blanco'' in Shuar / Mestizo Spanish. In Colombia, it is known as ''joorỡ'' or ''tetera''. In

Shipibo The Shipibo-Conibo are an indigenous people along the Ucayali River in the Amazon rainforest in Peru. Formerly two groups, they eventually became one tribe through intermarriage and communal rituals and are currently known as the Shipibo-Conib ...

, the plant is called ''ino becho'', where ''ino'' means 'jaguar'. Another name for it is ''bijahhuillo''.

Uses

''Stromanthe stromanthoides'' has been used medicinally for treating abscesses, diarrhea, and tumors. It is used in crafts and making hats. It is used as an ornamental, and for wrapping and roofing. The leaves are also used for traditional tea in some areas of Colombia.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15338133 Flora of Brazil Flora of Colombia Flora of Ecuador Flora of Peru stromanthoides Taxa named by Bengt Lennart Andersson