cheeks with the juice of this herb, and it gives them a “bright and 
attractive blush.” 
NYCTAGINACEAE 
Boerhaavia scandens L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 3. 
(yerba de la purgacion) 
The infusion or decoction is thought to be effective against 
gonorrhoea. 
Neea verticillata R. et P. Syst. (1798) 90. 
The fruits are used by Indians to stain feet, hands and face 
purple; they are also a source of a dye for cotton. 
PHYTOLACCACEAE 
Phytolacca icosandra L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 631. 
The Indian women value the ripe fruits to make a dye for 
cotton. 
AIZOACEAE 
Sesuvium Portulacastrum L. Syst. Ed. 10 (1759) 1058. 
(litho) 
In Ica and other parts of Peru, the aborigines collect this species 
of glasswort for use in manufacturing glass and soap. 
BASELLACEAE 
Chenopodium tuberosum nom. nud. 
[Ullucus tuberosus Lozano in Caldas Sem. Nueva Granada 
(1809) 185. ] 
(ulluco) 
The roots are a common carbohydrate food. An infusion of the 
whole plant is taken as an expectorant and aid in childbirth. 
BERBERIDACEAE 
Berberis lutea R. et P. Fl. Peruv. 3 (1802) 51, t. 280. 
(ccarhuascassa; palo amarillo) 
Indian women utilize the wood of this species to dye their 
cottons and course textiles a beautiful and fast canary yellow. 
Berberis mucronata nom. nud. 
Berberis tortuosa Domb. ex DC. Syst. 2 (1821) 11, in syn. 
[B. flexuosa R. et P. Fl. Peruv. 3 (1802) 52, t. 281.] 
The wood yields an excellent yellow dye. 
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