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Charles Zidar
ANCIENT MAYA BOTANICAL RESEARCH |
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| Family: | Bombacaceae | | Genus: | Pseudobombax | | Species: | ellipticum | | Authority: | (Kunth) Dugand | | Common Name: | Amapolla tree | | Maya Name: | Chulte, mapola | | Depictions: | Polychrome ceramic | | Maya Plant Use: | Beverage. Sap used for intoxicating drink | | Botanical Significance: | This tree was used to make an intoxicating drink that was likely used in religious ceremonies such as those for sacrifice and self-mutilation (Flannery 1982). Sap was drained from the tree and fermented to make the drink. The tree also bears flowers that are white or bright red. Red was a color sacred to the Maya (Grube 2001). The size, color, and shape indicate that the flower on a headdress may be that of the amapolla tree. | | Notes: | Syn: Bombax ellipticum H.B.K. | | Photos: | Click on an image below for high resolution comparison. |
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