Shadow-beni (Eryngium foetidum, Sp. Pl.: 232 (1753))

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

Growth