Children often eat the sweet fruits of this 1 m. tall plant that 

 grows in exposed areas. 



Solanum pectinatum Dunal in DC. Prod. 13, pt. 1 (1852) 250. 



Collect.: Davis & Yost 930. 



Waorani Informant: Taade (m). Ridge dialect: n.v. daboca 



The Waorani consider this species wild and claim that it was 

 planted by thejaguar. The pulp of the fruit is rubbed into the hair 

 almost daily to give lustre and to control head lice. When eaten, 

 the acidic fruits are said to be effective in preventing the vomiting 

 that normally results from scorpion stings and bites. A decoction 

 of the fruits is also rubbed on any type of sting. 



Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal, Solan. Syn. ( 1 8 1 6) 43. 

 Collect.: Davis & Yost 918. 



Waorani Informant: Taade (m). Ridge dialect: n.v. daboca 



The fruits of this cultivated shrub are eaten or sucked to relieve 

 thirst. They are also rubbed into the scalp to make the hair shine. 

 The pulp of the fruit is imbibed in cases of scorpion stings and 

 spider bites to prevent vomiting, and the fruits are rubbed onto 

 any type of insect sting or bite to alleviate pain. 



Related species of Solanum are used in a variety of ways 

 throughout the northwest Amazon. The Kofan use the pulp of a 

 related species, 5'. niammosum L., to repel cockroaches. This 

 practice is widely known, and it has been suggested that the 

 insecticidal properties of the pulp and seeds should be investi- 

 gated (Schultes 1982). 



BiGNONIACEAE 



Crescentia Cujete L. Sp. PL (1753) 626. 



Collect.: Davis & Yost 1037. 



Waorani Informant: C^nto (m). Downriver dialect: n.v. ow^w^ 



The fruits of this cultivated tree are used to make kapok {Ceiba 

 peutandra) holders, drinking bowls and water containers, as well 

 as the covers for the top and bottom of the dart quivers. 



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