Toothbrush tree
Gouania lupuloides

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

A woody climber. It grows 7-12 m long. It has tendrils. The young stems are hairy. The leaves are 11 cm long by 7 cm wide. They are often heart shaped at the base. The flowers are as 5-8 in long heads. These are 8-18 cm long. The fruit has 3 wings. They are 5-7 mm long. The seeds are 3-4 mm long.

There are about 70 Gouania species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Guiana, Haiti, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Mexico, North America, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, South America (country/location of origin), Uruguay, USA, Virgin Islands, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The stems are used for flavouring for a cooling drink. The bark is chewed as a stimulant. The bitter stems and chopped to produce foam that is added to ginger beer, root beers and root tonics to add flavour and body.

It is available in local markets.

Edible parts

Stems, bark - stimulant, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ahorca buey, Bejuci candlillo rojo, Bejuco indio, Bejuco de sopla, Canelillo negro, Chaw-stick, Chewstick, Chirapa, Chow stick, Jaboncillo, Jabonera, Sgui pu chua, Shuipu chuwa, Soap stick, Soap vine, Sopla, White root

Synonyms

Banisteria lupuloides L.; Gouania domingensis Linn.; Gouania polygama (Jacq.) Urban; Gouania tomentosa Jacq.; Lupulus lupuloides Kuntze var. domingensis Kuntze; Rhamnus domingensis Jacq.: