Loroco
Fernaldia pandurata

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A vine. It is vigorous and slightly woody. It has fine hairs. The leaves are opposite. The leaf stalks are 1-2 cm long. The leaf blades are 4-13 cm long by 1.5-8 cm wide. They are thin and dull green. They are oblong to oval and the base can be rounded or heart shaped. The flowers are greenish white. They are on crowded stalks with 8-18 along one stalk. The fruit is a seed pod 9-14 cm long. They are very slender and occur in pairs. They are brown when mature and split open to release long silky hairs and many slim seeds.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally up to 900 m altitude in Central America.

Countries/locations it is found in

America, Central America, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America

How it is used for food

The flower buds are eaten usually cooked. They are added to a range of dishes. They can be boiled, steamed, roasted, stir-fried or dried. The flowers are used in pizzas. The tender tips of the vines are used as greens.

It is cultivated and also grows wild. They are available canned or frozen in Central American markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, flower buds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from new shoots that arise from the roots. It can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Doroco, Quilite

Synonyms

Amblyanthera pandurata (A.DC.) Miers; Echites pandurata A. DC.; Echites pinguifolia Standl.; Mandevilla potosins T. S Brandg.; Mandevilla velutina K.Sch.; Urechites karwinskii Mull.Arg.;