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Lacmellea lactescens

Family:

Apocynaceae

Kichwa:

Chicle ruya / pungara muyu

Prochilodus nigricans_edited.jpg

Talking about Chicle ruya / pungara muyu

Luisa Cadena - How My Father Gathered Chicle in the Rubber Boom

The sap of Lacmellea lactescens was the original source of chewing gum. In the early 20th century its latex was tapped and exported through the same networks that exported Hevea brasilensis and other forms of rubber.

Thorny trunk of Lacmellea lactescens with moth caterpillar. When the caterpillar lifts the point of its tail it displays large false eyes that make it look like a snake. According to tradition the caterpillar can actually grow into a shishin snake.

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