Cochinilla, Susto, Tunquitos, Chanchitos
Rytidostylis carthagenensis

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A herb. The leaves are simple and alternate. The blades are 4-11 cm long by 3-9 cm wide. They are oval with 3-5 lobes. The flowers are in the axils of leaves with 5-12 flowers. The fruit are 3 cm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from 100-1,000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, North America, Panama, South America (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Young shoots cooked and eaten. The leaves are used as flavouring.

Edible parts

Fruit, shoots, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chaape fintsumi tape, Chinga tape, Chin-laqpe, Chuwanu imu tape, Cuchinito, Tape fintsumi

Synonyms

Cyclanthera carthagenensis (Jacq.) H. Schaef. & S.S. Renner; Cyclanthera quinqueloba (Kuntze) H.Schaef. & S.S. Renner; Elaterium carthagenense Jacq.; Elaterium carthagenense var. cordatum (Hook.f.) Svenson; Elaterium ciliatum Cogn.; Elaterium ciliatum var. major Cogn.; Elaterium cordatum Hook.f.; Elaterium gracile var. ottonianum Cogn.; Elaterium gracile var. triloba Cogn.; Elaterium gracile var. trilobum Cogn.; Elaterium macrophyllum Standl. & Steyerm.; Elaterium quinquelobum Cogn.; Elaterium trilobatum Schltdl.; Rytidostylis ciliata (Cogn.) Kuntze; Rytidostylis cordata (Hook. f.) Kuntze; Rytidostylis macrophyllus (Standl. & Steyerm.) Dieterle; Rytidostylis quinqueloba (Cogn.) Kuntze; Rytidostylis trilobata (Schltdl.) Kuntze;