Magical Encounter with Tree of the Sorcerors! - Observation of the Week, 9/17/24
Our Observation of the Day is this Tree of the Sorcerers plant (Latua pubiflora, latué in Spanish), seen in Chile by @josefina_ibanezb!
Currently an engineer in the field of renewable natural resources who specializes in flora and vegetation, Josefina Ibáñez says she’s had a deep interest in learning about nature and outdoor activities from a young age.
Her job has taken her to different ecosystems around the country, helping her to “to learn more and more about Chilean biodiversity and also understanding its great relevance worldwide due to its high degree of endemism.”
Recently she visited an evergreen forest (bosque siempreverde), she and her colleagues spotted some of the plants you see photographed above,
which stood out among the density of the forest and its species. In the middle of a heavy rain, we stopped to photograph this plant, which immediately captivated our attention with its striking color and particular beauty!
Like many other members of the nightshade family, tree of the sorcerors is quite toxic to humans and can be deadly if the dose is large enough. At lower concentration levels, though, it is a deliriant and has long been used as an entheogen by indigenous peoples of the area. Its flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds.
Josefina (above) joined iNat back in 2019, and tells me “iNaturalist has allowed me to share not only flora records, but also to continue learning from it and also to learn about other types of species that inhabit the different ecosystems of Chile.”
- while many nightshades are toxic to humans, quite a few are consumed widely around the world, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and potatoes.
- the Wikipedia sections on tree of the sorcerors’ toxicity and use by humans are pretty fascinating.
Comments
That’s an amazing photo. I had no idea that nightshades were poisonous and I didn’t know all the other plants at the bottom were in the nightshade family! You learn something new everyday.
Amazing photo! @antman555 not all nightshades are poisonous. Tomatoes and potatoes are nightshades, too.
muy linda foto, Josefina!
When tomatoes and potatoes were first brought to Europe it was an uphill battle to convince people that they could EAT that. Not a chance! (Wild tomatoes come from the Andes, potatoes from Peru and Bolivia)
beautiful , and the accompanying text is so educative, thank you
what a beautiful plant, it looks like something out of a fairy tale! how blessed we are to live in a world with such beautiful things!
I don't know about tomatoes but potatoes used to be toxic... it was only after generations of indigenous populations slowly bred/cultivated the least toxic ones that it became edible. Prior to that they needed to be boiled/cooked for long periods of time to prevent stomach problems and more. I can't remember for sure, but I think I remember hearing that even some types of wild potatoes are still too toxic for human consumption. Don't ask me the precise source of this info, it's just one of those weird random facts that has stuck in my brain for years!
Beautiful and interesting! About nightshade family foods, the edible varieties did originate in the Americas, and depending on the plant, may have been cultivated and bred from wild plants for 3000 - 10000 years by indigenous people. Capsicum (peppers) were domesticated at least 5000 years ago, but only reached the rest of the world less thsn 500 years ago. Now cusine from all over the world uses peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes. This is a follow up to dianastuder comments, but we digress. :)
@jewlsinnature I did not hear that the Anerican nightshades used for food were ever toxic, but that would make sense. As far as potatoes, any potato with green has a bit of cyanide, but if cooked it is not a big deal.
Beautiful plants!
Beautiful photos @josefina_ibanezb!
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