Pentagonia spathicalyx K. Schum. in Martius, Fl. Bras. 6, pt. 6 

 (1889)302. 



Collect.: Davis & Yost 942, 971. 



Waorani Informant: Geque(m). Do\vnri\cr dialect: n.v. hovonio 



Known as hoyonio. "the sting ray leaf" because the broad leaf 

 looks like a sting ray. this forest tree gives an edible fruit applied 

 to treat sting ray wounds the most painful of all jungle 

 afflictions. 



Simira sp. 



Collect.: Davis & Yost 1007. 



Waorani Informant: Tomo (m). Upriver dialect: n.v. wepeta 



The bark of this tall (70 m.) forest tree oxidizes to a brilliant red 

 and is used as a dye by the Waorani. Shavings are soaked over- 

 night and boiled the next day to yield the red dye for infant- 

 carrying slings, baskets, hammocks and fishnets. 



CrC tRRITACEAE 



Cayaponia Ruizii Cogn. in DC, Monog. Phan. 3 (1881) 794. 

 Collect.: Davis & Yost 959. 



Waorani Informant: Geque (m). Downriver dialect: n.v. cagi- 



The Waorani eat the seed of this liana, and hunters recognize 

 that it is a preferred food of the toucan {Ramphosto cuvieri), the 

 chestnut fronted macaw (Ara severa), the scarlet macaw {Ara 

 macao). and the woolly monkey {Lagothrix lagotricha). 



Although the Waorani do not consider this plant medicinal, the 

 Kofan Indians burn the stems and apply the ashes of an unidenti- 

 fied species of Cayaponia to external sores to hasten healing 

 (Schultes 1982). Indians of the Rio Apaporis in Colombia use the 

 green bark of Cayaponia ophthalmica R.E. Schult. to prepare a 

 wash to treat conjunctivitis. The Tikuna of the Rio Loretoyacu of 

 Colombia dry and powder the leaves of Cayaponia glandulosa 

 Cogn. to prepare an insect repellant for use in hammocks and 

 clothes (Schultes in prep.). 



207 



