Plocama pendula
StarPlocama pendula
Synonyms: Bartlingia scoparia
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Canarian folk medicine the balo (Plocama pendula), a shrub endemic to the Canary Islands, is valued for wound healing: the crushed leaves or young shoots are applied externally to cuts and wounds to promote healing and to relieve the sting of jellyfish (Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo). Because the plant's latex is irritant and harmful to the eyes, use is external and localised.
Gallery
Botanical Description
Plocama pendula, known locally as balo, is a shrub of the madder family endemic to the Canary Islands, where it is especially characteristic of the arid lowlands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Gomera. It forms a rounded crown of slender, drooping, broom-like branches reaching three to four metres, the pendulous green twigs largely taking over photosynthesis. The leaves are thread-like and linear, up to about five centimetres long, borne in whorls, and release a distinctly unpleasant odour when crushed. Small whitish to greenish flowers are followed by fleshy berries that are readily consumed and dispersed by birds. The plant exudes an irritant latex that is particularly harmful to the eyes. Well adapted to dry, rocky ravines and coastal scrub, balo is a conspicuous element of the thermophilous Canarian flora and is also valued as a melliferous species yielding a pale, sweet honey.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Plocama pendula.
No notes yet.