Ceiba pentandra L. Gaertn. (Malvaceae) and associated species: Spiritual Keystone Species of the Neotropics

Type Article
Date 2022-02
Language English
Author(s) Tareau M.-A.1, Greene A.1, Odonne Guillaume, Davy D.1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Laboratoire Ecologie, Evolution, Interactions des Systèmes Amazoniens, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Université de Guyane, IFREMER, 97300 Cayenne, French Guiana
Source Botany (1916-2790) (Canadian Science Publishing), 2022-02 , Vol. 100 , N. 2 , P. 127-140
DOI 10.1139/cjb-2021-0099
WOS© Times Cited 1
Keyword(s) ethnobotany, Amazonia, Caribbean, lupuna, samauma, mapou, silk-cotton tree, fromager, kapok
Abstract

Among the 18 species included in the Ceiba genus, in the Malvaceae (Bombacoideae) family, Ceiba pentandra L. Gaertn. is not only the tallest and most widespread, but also occupies the most prominent place in Neotropical cosmovisions. In this ethnobotanical review, we compare perceptions and uses of Ceiba and related species across indigenous and Afro-descendant cultures ranging from the Caribbean to the Argentinian Chaco. Ceiba's widely-shared role as axis mundi, (particularly in Amazonia) psychopomp and shelter of major forest spirits makes it a perfect example of a Spiritual Keystone Species, a new concept inspired from Cultural Keystone Species and defined here for the first time.

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