Botanical identity
The silky threads of maize used in traditional water-based preparations.
Indexed scientific synonyms
Documented use categories
These categories describe the kinds of human-use reports attached to the taxon in the source checklist. Multiple categories can coexist; a plant may be recorded as both food and poison, depending on part, preparation and context.
How to interpret this record
Traditional and practical context
Traditional context is preparation-specific and is presented as historical or practical context rather than proof of effectiveness.
Evidence boundary
Evidence must be assessed by species, plant part, preparation, route, dose and the exact health question. Culinary use cannot be generalized to concentrated extracts.
Safety boundary
Confirm botanical identity, plant part, route, dose, medicines, allergies, pregnancy, breastfeeding and age before use.
Dataset record and provenance
Read the full dataset citation, licence and import methodology →
Educational index, not a treatment recommendation
The presence of a taxon in this database does not provide a diagnosis, dose, formulation or assurance of safety. Some indexed plants are toxic, regulated, endangered or unsafe in specific life stages.