Goeppertia allouia: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m case fix (via WP:JWB)
No edit summary
 
Line 2: Line 2:
{{Italic title}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
{{Speciesbox
| name = Leren
| name = Lerén
| image = Flower of the Calathea allouia.jpg
| image = Flower of the Calathea allouia.jpg
| image_caption =
| image_caption =
Line 8: Line 8:
| species = allouia
| species = allouia
| authority = [[John Lindley|Lindl.]]
| authority = [[John Lindley|Lindl.]]
⚫
| synonyms = * ''Allouya americana'' <small>(Lam.) A.Chev.</small>
| synonyms =
⚫
* ''Allouya americana'' <small>(Lam.) A.Chev.</small>
* ''Calathea allouia'' <small>(Aubl.) Lindl.</small>
* ''Calathea allouia'' <small>(Aubl.) Lindl.</small>
* ''Curcuma americana'' <small>Lam.</small>
* ''Curcuma americana'' <small>Lam.</small>
Line 20: Line 19:
}}
}}


'''''Goeppertia allouia''''' (syn. ''Calathea allouia''), known as '''lerén''' or '''lairén''' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]], and also known in [[English language|English]] as '''Guinea arrowroot''', and '''sweet corn root''', is a plant in the [[Marantaceae|arrowroot family]], native to northern [[South America]] and the [[Caribbean]], The name "'''allouia'''" is derived from the [[Island Caribs|Carib]] name for the plant<ref>"Topi Tambo, Leren, Guinea Arrowroot", ''Eat the Weeds'', [http://www.eattheweeds.com/topi-tambo-leren-guinea-arrowroot/], accessed 17 Feb 2016</ref> Leren is a minor food crop in the American tropics, but was one of the earliest plants domesticated by pre-historic [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Amerindians]] in South America.
'''''Goeppertia allouia''''' (syn. ''Calathea allouia''), known as '''lerén''' or '''lairén''' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]], and also known in [[English language|English]] as '''Guinea arrowroot''', and '''sweet corn root''', is a plant in the [[Marantaceae|arrowroot family]], native to northern [[South America]] and the [[Caribbean]], The name "'''allouia'''" is derived from the [[Island Caribs|Carib]] name for the plant<ref>"Topi Tambo, Leren, Guinea Arrowroot", ''Eat the Weeds'', [http://www.eattheweeds.com/topi-tambo-leren-guinea-arrowroot/], accessed 17 Feb 2016</ref> Lerén is a minor food crop in the American tropics, but was one of the earliest plants domesticated by pre-historic [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Amerindians]] in South America.


==Distribution==
==Distribution==
''Goeppertia allouia'' is native to [[Cuba]], [[Hispaniola]], [[Puerto Rico]], the [[Lesser Antilles]], [[Trinidad & Tobago]], [[Venezuela]], [[Colombia]], [[Ecuador]], [[Peru]] and [[Brazil]]. It is reportedly naturalized in [[Jamaica]]<ref>[http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=222934 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, ''Calathea allouia'']</ref><ref>[https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/133119#page/241/mode/1up Lindley, John. 1829. Botanical Register 14: sub pl. 1210, ''Calathea allouia'']</ref><ref>[https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/361979#page/37/mode/1up Aublet, Jean Baptiste Christophe Fusée. 1775. Histoire des Plantes de la Guiane Françoise 1: 3–4, ''Maranta allouia'' ]</ref><ref>Forzza, R. C. 2010. Lista de espécies Flora do Brasil {{cite web|url=http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2010 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-08-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906080403/http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2010/ |archive-date=2015-09-06 }}. Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro</ref><ref>Hokche, O., P. E. Berry & O. Huber. (eds.) 2008. Nuevo Catálogo de la Flora Vascular de Venezuela 1–860. Fundación Instituto Botánico de Venezuela, Caracas</ref><ref>Dodson, C.H., A.H. Gentry & F.M. Valverde Badillo. 1985. La Flora de Jauneche: Los Ríos, Ecuador 1–512. Banco Central del Ecuador, Quito.</ref>
''Goeppertia allouia'' is native to [[Cuba]], [[Hispaniola]], [[Puerto Rico]], the [[Lesser Antilles]], [[Trinidad & Tobago]], [[Venezuela]], [[Colombia]], [[Ecuador]], [[Peru]] and [[Brazil]]. It is reportedly naturalized in [[Jamaica]]<ref>[http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=222934 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, ''Calathea allouia'']</ref><ref>[https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/133119#page/241/mode/1up Lindley, John. 1829. Botanical Register 14: sub pl. 1210, ''Calathea allouia'']</ref><ref>[https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/361979#page/37/mode/1up Aublet, Jean Baptiste Christophe Fusée. 1775. Histoire des Plantes de la Guiane Françoise 1: 3–4, ''Maranta allouia'' ]</ref><ref>Forzza, R. C. 2010. Lista de espécies Flora do Brasil {{cite web|url=http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2010 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-08-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906080403/http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2010/ |archive-date=2015-09-06 }}. Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro</ref><ref>Hokche, O., P. E. Berry & O. Huber. (eds.) 2008. Nuevo Catálogo de la Flora Vascular de Venezuela 1–860. Fundación Instituto Botánico de Venezuela, Caracas</ref><ref>Dodson, C.H., A.H. Gentry & F.M. Valverde Badillo. 1985. La Flora de Jauneche: Los Ríos, Ecuador 1–512. Banco Central del Ecuador, Quito.</ref>


Leren has been introduced as a minor root crop in tropical regions around the world.<ref>Martin, F.W. & Cabanillas, E. (1976) [https://www.jstor.org/stable/4253741 Leren (''Calathea allouia''), a little known tuberous root crop of the Caribbean]. [[Economic Botany]] 30(3):249-256. Downloaded from [[JSTOR]].</ref>
Lerén has been introduced as a minor root crop in tropical regions around the world.<ref>Martin, F.W. & Cabanillas, E. (1976) [https://www.jstor.org/stable/4253741 Leren (''Calathea allouia''), a little known tuberous root crop of the Caribbean]. [[Economic Botany]] 30(3):249-256. Downloaded from [[JSTOR]].</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
[[File:Calathea allouia -- FAO.GIF|thumb|left|Leren (''Goeppertia allouia'')<ref>FAO, "Guinea Arrowroot" (1994), ''Neglected Crops: 1492 from a Different Perspective'', Plant Production and Protection Series, No. 26, p. 240</ref>]]
[[File:Calathea allouia -- FAO.GIF|thumb|left|Lerén (''Goeppertia allouia'')<ref>FAO, "Guinea Arrowroot" (1994), ''Neglected Crops: 1492 from a Different Perspective'', Plant Production and Protection Series, No. 26, p. 240</ref>]]
Leren is a perennial plant, approximately {{convert|1|m|inch}} in height. It produces egg-shaped tuberous roots {{convert|2|cm|inch}} to {{convert|8|cm|inch}} long at the end of fibrous roots. The leaves are large, up to {{convert|60|cm|inch}} long and {{convert|20|cm|inch}} wide. [[Indigenous people of the Americas]] have used the durable leaves to make traditional medicines and as baby clothing. Leren usually reproduces itself through [[rhizomes]] which produce shoots and new plants.<ref>FAO, p. 240</ref>
Lerén is a perennial plant, approximately {{convert|1|m|inch}} in height. It produces egg-shaped tuberous roots {{convert|2|cm|inch}} to {{convert|8|cm|inch}} long at the end of fibrous roots. The leaves are large, up to {{convert|60|cm|inch}} long and {{convert|20|cm|inch}} wide. [[Indigenous people of the Americas]] have used the durable leaves to make traditional medicines and as baby clothing. Lerén usually reproduces itself through [[rhizomes]] which produce shoots and new plants.<ref>FAO, p. 240</ref>


==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==


Leren is adapted to a tropical climate with alternating rainy and dry seasons. It sprouts with the first rains and grows rapidly, forming tubers which are harvested as the foliage begins to die back eight or nine months after the initial sprouting. The rhizomes, harvested at the same time, are tolerant of both drying and flooding, and divided and replanted again at the onset of the rainy season. Frequent irrigation is necessary during dry periods. Leren is often planted in shade or partial shade but can grow in full sun with adequate moisture and nutrients.<ref>Martin and Cabanillas, pp. 252-252</ref>
Lerén is adapted to a tropical climate with alternating rainy and dry seasons. It sprouts with the first rains and grows rapidly, forming tubers which are harvested as the foliage begins to die back eight or nine months after the initial sprouting. The rhizomes, harvested at the same time, are tolerant of both drying and flooding, and divided and replanted again at the onset of the rainy season. Frequent irrigation is necessary during dry periods. Lerén is often planted in shade or partial shade but can grow in full sun with adequate moisture and nutrients.<ref>Martin and Cabanillas, pp. 252-252</ref>


Leren is traditionally cultivated on a small scale. Its cultivation is declining as it has been replaced by other crops.<ref>FAO, p. 239</ref>
Lerén is traditionally cultivated on a small scale. Its cultivation is declining as it has been replaced by other crops.<ref>FAO, p. 239</ref>


==Food==
==Food==
[[File:Topee-Tambo, Trinidad and Tobago.JPG|thumb|right|'''Leren''' is called '''Topee-Tambo''' in [[Trinidad and Tobago]].]]
[[File:Topee-Tambo, Trinidad and Tobago.JPG|thumb|right|'''Lerén''' is called '''Topee-Tambo''' in [[Trinidad and Tobago]].]]
Leren is usually cooked by boiling the tubers for 15 to 60 minutes, As food, leren is often compared to water chestnut ([[Eleocharis dulcis]]) because leren, like the water chestnut, retains its crispness despite being cooked. Boiled leren has a taste similar to [[sweet corn]], hence one of its common English names. The cooked tuber is covered with a thin, edible skin which is most easily peeled after cooking. Leren is mostly eaten as an [[hors d'oeuvre]] or appetizer. Leren tubers can be stored at room temperatures for up to three months, but do not tolerate refrigeration well.<ref>Martin and Cabanillas, pp. 254-256</ref>
Lerén is usually cooked by boiling the tubers for 15 to 60 minutes, As food, lerén is often compared to water chestnut ([[Eleocharis dulcis]]) because lerén, like the water chestnut, retains its crispness despite being cooked. Boiled lerén has a taste similar to [[sweet corn]], hence one of its common English names. The cooked tuber is covered with a thin, edible skin which is most easily peeled after cooking. Lerén is mostly eaten as an [[hors d'oeuvre]] or appetizer. Lerén tubers can be stored at room temperatures for up to three months, but do not tolerate refrigeration well.<ref>Martin and Cabanillas, pp. 254-256</ref>


The nutritional value of leren has not been thoroughly studied, but the tubers have a starch content of 13-15 percent and a protein content of 6.6 percent.<ref>Martin and Cabanillas, p. 254</ref>
The nutritional value of lerén has not been thoroughly studied, but the tubers have a starch content of 13-15 percent and a protein content of 6.6 percent.<ref>Martin and Cabanillas, p. 254</ref>


==Prehistoric domestication==
==Prehistoric domestication==


[[Archaeology|Archaeologists]] have discovered that leren was one of the first plants domesticated in prehistoric South America. Leren, along with arrowroot (''[[Maranta arundinacea]]''), [[squash (plant)|squash]] (''[[Cucurbita moschata]]''), and bottle gourd (''[[Lagenaria siceraria]]'') were being eaten and possibly cultivated in Colombia by about 9000 BCE.<ref>Piperno, Dolores R. (Oct 2011), "The Origins of Plant Cultivation and Domestication in the New World Tropics", ''Current Anthropology'', Vol 52, No. 54, pp. S 458-459. Downloaded from JSTOR.</ref> It appears that the cultivation of leren spread to places where it was not likely native. For example, the people of the [[Las Vegas culture (archaeology)|Las Vegas culture]] on the arid and semi-arid [[Santa Elena Peninsula]] of [[Ecuador]] likely grew leren by about 9000 BCE. Leren was being grown to be eaten raw, dried, or ground into flour.<ref>Moore, Jerry D. (2014), ''A Prehistory of South America'', Boulder: University Press of Colorado, pp. 97-99. Downloaded from [[Project MUSE]].</ref><ref>Piperno, S-458-459</ref>
[[Archaeology|Archaeologists]] have discovered that lerén was one of the first plants domesticated in prehistoric South America. Lerén, along with arrowroot (''[[Maranta arundinacea]]''), [[squash (plant)|squash]] (''[[Cucurbita moschata]]''), and bottle gourd (''[[Lagenaria siceraria]]'') were being eaten and possibly cultivated in Colombia by about 9000 BCE.<ref>Piperno, Dolores R. (Oct 2011), "The Origins of Plant Cultivation and Domestication in the New World Tropics", ''Current Anthropology'', Vol 52, No. 54, pp. S 458-459. Downloaded from JSTOR.</ref> It appears that the cultivation of lerén spread to places where it was not likely native. For example, the people of the [[Las Vegas culture (archaeology)|Las Vegas culture]] on the arid and semi-arid [[Santa Elena Peninsula]] of [[Ecuador]] likely grew lerén by about 9000 BCE. Lerén was being grown to be eaten raw, dried, or ground into flour.<ref>Moore, Jerry D. (2014), ''A Prehistory of South America'', Boulder: University Press of Colorado, pp. 97-99. Downloaded from [[Project MUSE]].</ref><ref>Piperno, S-458-459</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 21:44, 3 May 2023

Lerén
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Marantaceae
Genus: Goeppertia
Species:
G. allouia
Binomial name
Goeppertia allouia
Synonyms[1]
  • Allouya americana (Lam.) A.Chev.
  • Calathea allouia (Aubl.) Lindl.
  • Curcuma americana Lam.
  • Maranta allouia Aubl.
  • Maranta niveiflora A.Dietr.
  • Maranta semperflorens Horan.
  • Phrynium allouia (Aubl.) Roscoe
  • Phyllodes allouia (Aubl.) Kuntze

Goeppertia allouia (syn. Calathea allouia), known as lerén or lairén in Spanish, and also known in English as Guinea arrowroot, and sweet corn root, is a plant in the arrowroot family, native to northern South America and the Caribbean, The name "allouia" is derived from the Carib name for the plant[2] Lerén is a minor food crop in the American tropics, but was one of the earliest plants domesticated by pre-historic Amerindians in South America.

Distribution[edit]

Goeppertia allouia is native to Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. It is reportedly naturalized in Jamaica[3][4][5][6][7][8]

Lerén has been introduced as a minor root crop in tropical regions around the world.[9]

Description[edit]

Lerén (Goeppertia allouia)[10]

Lerén is a perennial plant, approximately 1 metre (39 in) in height. It produces egg-shaped tuberous roots 2 centimetres (0.79 in) to 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long at the end of fibrous roots. The leaves are large, up to 60 centimetres (24 in) long and 20 centimetres (7.9 in) wide. Indigenous people of the Americas have used the durable leaves to make traditional medicines and as baby clothing. Lerén usually reproduces itself through rhizomes which produce shoots and new plants.[11]

Cultivation[edit]

Lerén is adapted to a tropical climate with alternating rainy and dry seasons. It sprouts with the first rains and grows rapidly, forming tubers which are harvested as the foliage begins to die back eight or nine months after the initial sprouting. The rhizomes, harvested at the same time, are tolerant of both drying and flooding, and divided and replanted again at the onset of the rainy season. Frequent irrigation is necessary during dry periods. Lerén is often planted in shade or partial shade but can grow in full sun with adequate moisture and nutrients.[12]

Lerén is traditionally cultivated on a small scale. Its cultivation is declining as it has been replaced by other crops.[13]

Food[edit]

Lerén is called Topee-Tambo in Trinidad and Tobago.

Lerén is usually cooked by boiling the tubers for 15 to 60 minutes, As food, lerén is often compared to water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) because lerén, like the water chestnut, retains its crispness despite being cooked. Boiled lerén has a taste similar to sweet corn, hence one of its common English names. The cooked tuber is covered with a thin, edible skin which is most easily peeled after cooking. Lerén is mostly eaten as an hors d'oeuvre or appetizer. Lerén tubers can be stored at room temperatures for up to three months, but do not tolerate refrigeration well.[14]

The nutritional value of lerén has not been thoroughly studied, but the tubers have a starch content of 13-15 percent and a protein content of 6.6 percent.[15]

Prehistoric domestication[edit]

Archaeologists have discovered that lerén was one of the first plants domesticated in prehistoric South America. Lerén, along with arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea), squash (Cucurbita moschata), and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) were being eaten and possibly cultivated in Colombia by about 9000 BCE.[16] It appears that the cultivation of lerén spread to places where it was not likely native. For example, the people of the Las Vegas culture on the arid and semi-arid Santa Elena Peninsula of Ecuador likely grew lerén by about 9000 BCE. Lerén was being grown to be eaten raw, dried, or ground into flour.[17][18]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
  2. ^ "Topi Tambo, Leren, Guinea Arrowroot", Eat the Weeds, [1], accessed 17 Feb 2016
  3. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Calathea allouia
  4. ^ Lindley, John. 1829. Botanical Register 14: sub pl. 1210, Calathea allouia
  5. ^ Aublet, Jean Baptiste Christophe Fusée. 1775. Histoire des Plantes de la Guiane Françoise 1: 3–4, Maranta allouia
  6. ^ Forzza, R. C. 2010. Lista de espécies Flora do Brasil "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-09-06. Retrieved 2015-08-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link). Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
  7. ^ Hokche, O., P. E. Berry & O. Huber. (eds.) 2008. Nuevo Catálogo de la Flora Vascular de Venezuela 1–860. Fundación Instituto Botánico de Venezuela, Caracas
  8. ^ Dodson, C.H., A.H. Gentry & F.M. Valverde Badillo. 1985. La Flora de Jauneche: Los Ríos, Ecuador 1–512. Banco Central del Ecuador, Quito.
  9. ^ Martin, F.W. & Cabanillas, E. (1976) Leren (Calathea allouia), a little known tuberous root crop of the Caribbean. Economic Botany 30(3):249-256. Downloaded from JSTOR.
  10. ^ FAO, "Guinea Arrowroot" (1994), Neglected Crops: 1492 from a Different Perspective, Plant Production and Protection Series, No. 26, p. 240
  11. ^ FAO, p. 240
  12. ^ Martin and Cabanillas, pp. 252-252
  13. ^ FAO, p. 239
  14. ^ Martin and Cabanillas, pp. 254-256
  15. ^ Martin and Cabanillas, p. 254
  16. ^ Piperno, Dolores R. (Oct 2011), "The Origins of Plant Cultivation and Domestication in the New World Tropics", Current Anthropology, Vol 52, No. 54, pp. S 458-459. Downloaded from JSTOR.
  17. ^ Moore, Jerry D. (2014), A Prehistory of South America, Boulder: University Press of Colorado, pp. 97-99. Downloaded from Project MUSE.
  18. ^ Piperno, S-458-459
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Goeppertia_allouia&oldid=1153045754"