Carludovica


Carludovica is a genus in the family Cyclanthaceae. It is native to tropical America, from southern Mexico and Guatemala to Ecuador and Bolivia. Carludovica is named in honor of Charles IV of Spain and his wife Maria Luisa of Parma.

Cultivation and uses

The genus is probably best known for Carludovica palmata, the young leaves of which are made into Panama hats.
Carludovica divergens is added to some versions of the hallucinogenic drink Ayahuasca.
An unidentified species belonging to this family has been marketed as a houseplant in the United States under the name "Jungle Drum".

Lists of species

According to Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, there are four species
Tropicos lists more species but it may contain potential synonyms:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - C. gigantea - - - - - - - - - - - C. incisa - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -