This common tree, w hich \ ields a delicious fruit similar in taste 

 to figs, is a delicacN^ to the W'aorani. Toucans (Rcmiphastos 

 cuvicri) and piping guans { PipHc pipilc) are said b_\ the Waorani 

 to prefer the IrLuts o{ this species. 



Most indigenous groups in the northw est Amazon consider the 

 fruits o{ Cccropia unpalatable (Schultes. pers. comm.). Many 

 groups hum the lea\es of this species to obtain an alkaline admix- 

 ture forccK'a chewing. Certain species o^ Cccropia are used medic- 

 inally in the Amazon. The juice from the stem o{ Cccropia peliata 

 \ . is used in Brazil to treat d\senter\ ( Usher, 1974). C. lo/inicnsis 

 SchuUes et Villarreal has fruits which are taken in Colombia to 

 treat fe\er (AltschuK 1973). 



Ficus maxima Miller. Card. Diet., ed. S (176S) No. 6. 



Collect.: navis& Yost 1040. 



Waorani Informant: Tomc^ (m). Cprixer dialect: n.\. corofanio 



The inner bark is pounded and peeled o(l' as a single tube- 

 shaped piece to make cloth slings for carrying children or storage 

 bags ft)r kapok (Cciha pciiunnlra {\,.) CJaertn.). This is one of six 

 reported species that the Waorani use for bark cloth. 



Perebea guianensis Aubl., Hist. V\. Gui. Franc. 2 ( 1 775) 953. t. 

 361. 



Collect.: Davis & Yost 1009. 



Waorani Informant: Tomo (m). Tprixer dialect: n.\. hataca 



The sap o\ this species is esteemed as hair oil, and the spin}' 

 dried fruit ser\es as a con^b or hair brush. 



LJr I I( A( 1 Ah 



Urera baccifera (L.) Gaud. Freyc, Vo\. Bot. (1826) 497. 

 Collect.: Davis & Yost 956. 



Waorani Informant: Geque (m). Downrixcr dialect: n.\. w^nto 



All surfaces of this scandent shrub are covered with urticating 

 hairs. The Waorani utili/e the leaves either to punish children or 

 as a means of transferring their ow n adult strength to the children. 

 In the latter instance, an adult may return from a long hard day in 



I S3 



