Bursera graveolens
Bursera graveolens | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Sapindales |
Family: | Burseraceae |
Genus: | Bursera |
Species: | B. graveolens
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Binomial name | |
Bursera graveolens (
Planch. | |
Synonyms | |
List
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Bursera graveolens, known in Spanish as palo santo ("holy stick"), is a wild tree native from the Yucatán Peninsula to Peru and Venezuela.[2]
Bursera graveolens is found in the seasonally dry tropical forests of
Conservation
In 2006, the government of Peru listed Bursera graveolens as "In Critical Danger" (En Peligro Critico (CR)) under Decree 043-2006-AG, banning the cutting of live trees and allowing only for the collection of naturally fallen or dead trees.[5] However, in 2014, it was removed from the SERFOR (National Forest and Wildlife Service) list of protected species.[6]
Illegal logging is a regular occurrence in northwestern Peru due to high demand.[7][8] In 2010, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) stated Bursera graveolens' conservation status as "stable".[9][10]
In Ecuador there are reforestation programs for the palo santo tree. To reforest, the transplant method is used, which consists of determining an area of the forest that has overpopulation of the same species to extract the trees that are very close to each other and transfer them to an area of the forest where there are no trees so that they can continue their natural development. In this way, the space that remains when the trees are extracted will be used by other native species of the dry forest.[11]
Uses
Ethnobotanical uses
The use of palo santo from B. graveolens is traditional in South America, especially in
, which gives off an aroma reminiscent of baked apples or burnt sugar.Palo santo oil was used during the time of the Incas for its reputed spiritual purifying properties. Today, palo santo oil may be applied to the body (such as at the base of the skull or on the spine) to increase relaxation,[12] similar to aromatherapy.
Palo santo may be burned, similar to incense, by lighting shavings of palo santo wood. In Peru, a
Drinks
Palo santo wood has been used in the ageing of some beers, either as barrels, or simply as wood chips; stronger, darker beers being the preferred style for the wood to complement. Examples include
Palo santo wood has also been used in brew barrels for whiskey. In Ecuador, they drink palo santo tea.[16]
References
- ^ Salas, Esteban Martínez; Samain, Marie-Stéphanie (March 2019). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bursera graveolens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
- ^ ]
- ^ "Bursera graveolens". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "Ecuador Palo Santo Project". www.floracopeia.com. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
- ^ "Aprueban categorización de especies amenazadas de flora silvestre" (in Spanish). 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
- ^ "Palo Santo reforestation Program". 2013-07-23.
- ^ Zapata, Ralph (2019-10-11). "Piura: autoridades decomisan 1,5 toneladas de palo santo de procedencia ilegal". El Comercio (Peru) (in Spanish). Retrieved 2019-10-27.
- ^ "Chiclayo: decomisan más de tres toneladas de palo santo trasladados de manera ilegal". Radio Programas del Perú (in Spanish). 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
- ^ Mexico), Alejandra Fuentes (National Autonomous University of; Salas, Esteban Martínez; Samain, Marie-Stéphanie (2019-03-01). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bursera graveolens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
- ^ "EcuadorianHands". EcuadorianHands. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
- ^ ISBN 9780595488230.
- ISBN 9780738733142.
- ISBN 9781401920050.
- ^ Bosker, Bianca. (March 2020). "Why Witchcraft Is on the Rise". The Atlantic magazine website Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- ^ Palo Santo tea
External links
- Media related to Bursera graveolens at Wikimedia Commons
- Palo Santo reforestation program