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taique
Scientific Name: Desfontainia spinosa
Family: Loganiaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Desfontainia spinosa
Desfontainia spinosa, also known as Chilean Holly, Michay, Chapico, or Taique, is an evergreen shrub native to South America.
Considerations for Pets
- Desfontainia spinosa has holly-like leaves, which might suggest potentially prickly or rigid foliage.
Considerations for Children
- Desfontainia spinosa has holly-like leaves, which might suggest potentially prickly or rigid foliage.
- The plant has been reported to be used as an entheogen, suggesting potential effects if ingested.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Desfontainia spinosa Ruiz & Pav.
- Common Names: Chilean Holly, Michay, Chapico, Taique, Borrachero (in Colombia).
- Family: The provided text mentions "Dicot" which indicates it belongs to the dicotyledon group of flowering plants. The exact family isn't specified.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to South America.
- Specifically mentioned as native to Chile and Southern Colombia.
- Grows in the Andean forest from Maule to Magallanes.
Morphological Characteristics
- Evergreen shrub.
- Grows to approximately 2.5 meters (8 feet) tall and 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide.
- Leaves are described as rigid and shiny.
- Has a slow growth rate.
- Flowers in August.
Traditional and Folk Uses
- In Chile, the Mapuche language refers to the plant as "Taique," meaning "shiny," referencing its appearance.
- Reported to be used as an entheogen in Chile and southern Colombia.
- Colombian shamans of the Kamsa tribe use a tea made from the leaves to diagnose disease.
Ecological Role
- Highly ornamental native species from Chile.