Quararibea funebris

Rosita de Cacao, Cabezona, Molinillo, Funeral Tree
Family: Malvaceae (Formerly:Bombacaceae)
Subfamily: Bombacoideae
Origin: Southern Mexico
USDA Zone: 8-10?

Ethnomedical plant.
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Subtropical or temperate zone plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time

South American Sapote relative known for its flowers which yield an aromatic spice. The dried flowers are used as a flavoring for chocolate drinks and a variety of other things and for perfume producing. The fragrance stays in dry flowers for decades, thus they were used for funeral ceremonies and were found in crypts still fragrant after many years. The wood of this tree was used for fishing: pieces of the scented wood placed in water attracts fishes. Aztecs mixed flowers with chocolate to add spicy pungent taste, hence the name Rosita de Cacao. The tree seems to be somewhat hardy and able to survive brief temperature drops to the 30s.

Other names: Cacao Flower, Flor de Cacao, Madre Cacao, Molinillo. Aztec names: Poyomatli, Xochicacaohuatl, Flor Cacahuaxochitl, Cacaoxochitl

See Article about Drink of the Gods.

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