el mundo Magico

Native quechua and botanical names of master plants and trees of the Peruvian Amazon

Chullachaki Caspi tree (Brysonima christianeae)

Photo credit: Francesco Sammarco

The Chullachaki caspi is a 'doctor-tree' with outer-projecting, peculiar roots. It's an important palo maestro. There are up to four types of Chullachaki that are recognized locally in the Peruvian Amazon, although they may all belong to the same botanical family. Among these we mention the Chullachaki macho (a "male" variety, with protruding roots), the Chullachaki barbon (a "male" variety, with protruding roots and a plant which lives in symbiosis with the tree, always attached to its trunk, like a "beard", hence the name "barbon"), and the  Chullachaki hembra (a "female" variety of the same tree, which - however - lacks the outwardly projecting roots of its male counterpart; it is believed to be inhabited by a feminine spirit that gives one strength).