Family: Apiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 232 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Eryngium
Vegetable: False
Observations: Mexico to Trop. America
Description
Shadow-beni, scientifically known as Eryngium foetidum, is a fascinating plant native to regions extending from Mexico to tropical America. Often prized for its pungent aroma and distinctive flavor, Shadow-beni has carved a niche for itself in various culinary traditions across the tropics. It belongs to the Apiaceae family, a group well-known for its aromatic members.
This herbaceous plant thrives in warm climates and is commonly found in the wild or cultivated in gardens. Shadow-beni exhibits rosette-like growth with long, serrated leaves that are often cited for their resemblance to cilantro, although they bear a more intense fragrance and taste. This has earned Shadow-beni the title of “culantro” in some regions, underscoring its culinary value as a substitute or complement to cilantro in dishes.
The historical documentation of Shadow-beni dates back to “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, where it was formally described. Its legacy continues in modern times, not just as a herb of culinary importance but also for its medicinal properties. Traditional uses of Eryngium foetidum include treatments for a variety of ailments, from inflammation to digestive issues, reflecting its role in indigenous and folk medicine.
Overall, Shadow-beni is more than just a plant; it is a cultural and practical asset to the communities where it grows. Its robust flavor, combined with its medicinal versatility, makes it a cherished component of tropical agriculture and cuisine. Whether in a spicy Caribbean stew or a vibrant Central American salsa, Shadow-beni continues to leave its mark on the palate and health of those who include it in their diet.
Common Names
Eng: spiritweed, false coriander, fitweed, shadow-beni, stinkweed
Deu: stinkdistel
Fra: azier la fièvre, chardon étoilé
Por: chicória, coentro-bravo
Spa: cilantro, culantro
Swe: sallatsmartorn
En: Shadow-beni, Fitweed, Stinkweed, False coriander, Spiritweed, Cilantro, Culantro, Chardon Benit Shadon beni, Cilantro Cimarron, Mexican Coriander, Saw-leaf Herb, Shadow beni, Spiritweed Sawtooth Herb, Wild Coriander, Black Benny, Puerto Rican coriander, Saw leaf herb, Saw tooth coriander, Spiny coriander, Spirit-weed, Stinking Weed
Ar: قرصعنة كريهة الرائحة
As: মান ধনিয়া
Bn: বিলাতী ধনিয়া
My: ရှမ်းနံနံ
Zh: 刺芫荽, 刺芹
Fi: Salaattipiikkiputki
Fr: Azier la fièvre, Chardon étoilé, Chadron béni, Chardon étoile fétide, Coriandre mexicain, Coulante, Herbe puante, Panicaut fétide, Chardon béni, Radié la fièvre
De: Stinkdistel, Mexikanischer Koriander, Langer Koriander, Mexicanischer Koriander
Ht: Koulan
Ko: 쿨란트로
Ms: Pokok Jeraju Gunung
Ml: ആഫ്രിക്കൻ മല്ലി
Fa: گشنیز مکزیکی
Pt: Coentro-bravo, Chicória, Coantro de caboclo, Chicória-de-caboclo, Coentro-de-Caboclo
Ru: Эрингиум пахучий
Si: අඳු
Es: Cilantro, Culantro, Cimarrón, Culantro de monte, Alcapate, Acopate
Sv: Sallatsmartorn, Mexikansk Koriander
Zh-tw: 刺芫荽
Th: ผักชีฝรั่ง
Zh-hant: 刺芹
Vi: Mùi tàu
Synonyms
- Eryngium antihystericum (Rottler)
Distribution
- Belize (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Southwest Caribbean (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Andaman Is. (introduced)
- Angola (introduced)
- Assam (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Borneo (introduced)
- Cambodia (introduced)
- Cameroon (introduced)
- Central American Pac (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Ghana (introduced)
- Guinea (introduced)
- Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Ivory Coast (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Laos (introduced)
- Liberia (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Myanmar (introduced)
- Nepal (introduced)
- Nicobar Is. (introduced)
- Sierra Leone (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Thailand (introduced)
- Uganda (introduced)
- Vietnam (introduced)
- Zaïre (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Mar 14, 2021 by Lucy Garcia (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 1, 2020 by sam merc (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 9, 2021 by Yan Loriscis (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 3, 2021 by Marie Munos (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2020 by Awadh Kishore Giri (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Feb 19, 2012 by EOL − Andres Hernandez (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Feb 19, 2012 by EOL − Andres Hernandez (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)
Flower
Taken Oct 5, 2019 by Michael Nilton Casas Javier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Acevedo, P. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 26, 2021 by Shehadi Ramiz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 8, 2019 by senteno Jonluke (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Acevedo, P. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 19, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 19, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 19, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 11, 2022 by Horta Pérez (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Mar 4, 2022 by Gladys Nazario (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2021 by Sandra San (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 31, 2022 by Acardoso (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Dec 26, 2021 by Patty Olson (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 13, 2020 by Yugsan Junina (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3034425)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:841793-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Eryngium foetidum L.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb