[Taxacom] Ancient, Andean rizomes at MA Herbarium

[Leopoldo Medina Domingo]

Dear all,

I am writing here to ask for your help regarding the identification of a 
XVIII century specimen, which are presenting an “abominable mystery”, 
with the Darwin´s permission.

The MA Herbarium (Real Jardín Botánico-CSIC) of Madrid keeps an ancient 
timber box belonging to the Ruiz & Pavón expedition to Chile and Perú 
(1778 – 1798). This box, about 50x50x80 cm, is divided in two similar 
volumes and shared by Cinchona barks and c. 3 kg of some specimens that 
appear to be “rizomes” which were originally labeled as Cyperus in the 
box. Probably due to its resemblance with the root tubers of Cyperus 
sculentus, called “chufas” in Spanish, and the way we call them 
colloquially at MA.

The timber box has a label (Fig. 1) with the text “/CORTEZA DE UNA QUINA 
INCIERTA Y / RAICES TUBERCULOSAS QUE PARECEN / DE UN CYPERUS (VULGO 
/[*unreadable*]/Ó / /[/CAN/]/ELA)/” attached to it on the external side. 
The unreadable word could be to the following possibilities: CAPULA, 
CABULA, CARULA, CAPUIA, CABUIA o CARUIA. The ending of the vernacular 
name as (“-IA”) could be (“-YA”) in a modern transliteration of a native 
language.

In addition, a pice of paper handwiriting with “/Nº 22 / Radix Cyperus? 
Vulgo Canela/” (Fig. 2) were found with the “rizomes”.

We have not found any reference to these materials in any of the 
handwritten documents or published works of Ruiz & Pavón.

The lack of other data and the fact that they were not identified upon 
their discovery leads to the assumption that these materials had already 
been prepared when they were acquired, thus the leafy/floral structures 
being eliminated before or along the Ruiz & Pavón expedition. It seems 
clear that these samples were not directly collected by the authors.

A description of the materials at our disposition can be found in the 
following:

Probably herbaceous Andean plant, perennial, with a stem of 3-8 cm, 
thickened, probably subterranean, with a portion of terminal root and 
secondary roots that derive from the stem (Fig 3). Branches (axis) 1 to 
8 of variable length 0,3-5 cm (Fig. 4), with hairy leaf buds; simple, 
pluricellular hairs (Fig 5). Leaves apparently in a basal rosette, which 
grow out just under the hairy leaf bud (Fig 6). The hydration of a 
“rizome” dyes the water in a cinnamon-like color with a sweet scent. A 
cross-section of the stem shows a concentric structure made of two 
different tissues that can be observed (Fig. 7).

A pdf document with the figures can be downloaded at: 
https://saco.csic.es/index.php/s/sHYmnQDY2D2AsEz

Some previous enquiries with various specialists have led to discard 
some families like Cyperaceae, Balanophoraceae o Gesneriaceae.

We will be very grateful to anyone who can help us with the 
identification, at least at the family level.

  Thank you very much in advance!

  Leopoldo

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Leopoldo Medina Domingo, PhD
Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC
Plaza de Murillo 2
28014 Madrid
SPAIN
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