Ceiba pentandra (Malvaceae) and associated species: Spiritual Keystone Species of the Neotropics

Abstract

Among the 18 species included in the Ceiba genus, in the Malvaceae (Bombacoideae) family, Ceiba pentandra L. Gaertn. is not only the tallest and most widespread, but also occupies the most prominent place in Neotropical cosmovisions. In this ethnobotanical review, we compare perceptions and uses of Ceiba and related species across indigenous and Afro-descendant cultures ranging from the Caribbean to the Argentinian Chaco. Ceiba's widely-shared role as axis mundi, (particularly in Amazonia) psychopomp and shelter of major forest spirits makes it a perfect example of a Spiritual Keystone Species, a new concept inspired from Cultural Keystone Species and defined here for the first time.

Divergence and Convergence in Traditional Plant-Based Medicinal Practices of Haitian Migrants in Montreal, Miami and Cayenne

“…In this case, responding to a sensory logic (García-Hernández et al, 2015;Shepard, 2004), bitter plants (e.g.,Artemisia absinthium, Colubrina elliptica, Momordica charantia) mostly assume this function. Similar to observations in Peru (Odonne et al, 2013) and French Guiana (Tareau, 2019(Tareau, , 2019a, red plants (Chrysophyllum cainito, Cordyline fruti-cosa, Gossypium barbadense, Tradescantia spathacea), or plants whose decoction turns red (Haematoxylon campechi-anum, Justicia secunda, Swietenia mahagoni) will second-arily act like bitter plants. In addition, several plants (Ruta graveolens, Ocimum gratissimum, Petiveria alliacea, among others) are used in propitiatory or expiatory baths against evil spirits (mové zèr, mové zèspri) and a certain number of species considered to be "hot," including some from Haiti (Colubrina elliptica, Eugenia crenulata, Momordica char-antia, Pimenta officinalis, Ricinus communis, Tetragastris balsamifera), are regularly consumed by Haitian migrants from North America during the winter period: "As it is cold here, you have to keep the body warm.…”

“…For example, the fact that Momordica charantia stands out in all three of our study sites as the most mentioned medicinal species is not surprising. Indeed, in Cuba, it is one of the three species most cited by Haitian immigrants and their descendants (Volpato et al, 2009), and in French Gui-ana it also stands out as the most used species by the Haitian community (Tareau, 2019(Tareau, , 2019a. Furthermore, during his study in the market of the Haitian town of Fond-des-Nègres, Mintz (1961) had already noted the presence of Momordica charantia's boutey.…”

“…As noted above, and despite the recognized importance of medicinal plants and practices in the three cities studied, it does not seem possible to consider a single, homogeneous transnational Haitian pharmacopoeia. Several authors have recently shown that pharmacopoeias of migrants, although having a shared country of origin, inevitably undergo eth-nobotanical mutations in accommodating other cultural habits and different floristic compositions in the coun-tries of settlement, giving rise to contextual adaptations (van Andel & van't Klooster, 2007;Medeiros et al, 2012;Pieroni et al, 2012;Pirker et al, 2012;Tareau, 2019Tareau, , 2019aVandebroek et al, 2007). However, even if there are major differences among pharmacopoeias used at the three sites (Supplementary Data 1), there are also impor-tant similarities, highlighting a transnational space of plant uses and circulation with local and specific adaptations.…”

“…This 'interculturalization' process (Tareau, 2019(Tareau, , 2019a) operates on the phytotherapeutic practices of Haitian migrants, adapting exogenous practices and knowledge (Ladio & Albuquerque, 2014) to a new social or environ-mental context. For example, in the adoption of urban har-vesting practices, which was observed at the three study sites, and which is otherwise inherent to the rural world.…”

Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.: An overview of its botany, uses, reproductive biology, pharmacological properties, and industrial potentials

“…In the Neotropics, C. pentandra trees are a keystone species of cultural and spiritual significance [11]. The Mayan and Aztec people in Central and South America regarded the kapok tree as sacred [5].…”