Re: Gorgonidium vermicidium
- To: Multiple recipients of list AROID-L
- Subject: Re: Gorgonidium vermicidium
- From: E* G*
- Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2000 22:15:40 -0500 (CDT)
Dear Tshu,
Like Wilbert said, the name is because of the Medusa-like aspect of the
stamens in some species of the genus (notably G. mirabile). It is found in
Northern Argentina (Salta and Jujuy) and Bolivia (elevation ranging from
1800 to 3100m). The allusion to this supposed worm-killer activity is not
uncommon in the tribe Spathicarpeae. You also have Synandrospadix
vermitoxicus, another tuberous genus from the Southern South America that is
also reputed to kill worms. Many Spathicarpoids are very poisonous and there
are some anedoctal evidence that the indians used grated tubers of both
species in wounds infested with larvae of flies ("worms"). If it really
works, I don't know! The only thing I can assure is that most Spathicarpoids
are "homicidum", i.e., they can kill people! Never eat raw tubers of
Gorgonidium, Taccarum, Asterostigma, etc! Remember that Dieffenbachia
(dumb-cane) is phylogenetically very close to the Spathicarpoids and in fact
could be considered one of them.
Best wishes,
Eduardo.
>
>My guess: the name may be based on the type species G. mirabile, in which
>the male flowers have free, long, multidirected filaments, creating a
>mudusa-like picture of the male part of the spadix. Medusa was a Gorgon,
>and
>you don't wanna meet with a Gorgon. The plant is from high altitude, Andean
>parts of South America, notably Argentina, but also Bolivia, and who knows.
>I guess Eduardo Goncalves will tell you.
>
>Cheers,
>Wilbert
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <Piabinha@aol.com>
>To: Multiple recipients of list AROID-L <aroid-l@mobot.org>
>Sent: woensdag 6 september 2000 4:05
>Subject: Gorgonidium vermicidium
>
>
> > what's the origin for the name of this plant? does it kill worms? why
> > gorgon? does anyone know? also, where is this plant from?
> >
> > tsuh yang chen, nyc, USA
> >
> >
>
>
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