ABSTRACT
The tropical Z. fagara, which grows in the southern two thirds of the Florida peninsula, was used at least as much as the others (Standley 1920-1926). The bark is sudorific and acts as an arterial and nervous stimulant. Leaves and bark have been used as a spice because of their pungent taste, and the bark gives yellow dye (Standley, 19201926). Some of Z. fagara’s uses are reflected in its common names, such as cha’ach (to chew, Maya, Yucatan; incorrectly recorded as cha kah, which is the name for Bur sera simaruba), and wi’puuy [huipuy] (puuy, mouth, Huastec, San Luis Potosí). Surely salitrero (saltpeter) also is from the taste.
