Cacana

/kɑːˈkɑːnə/ noun

Definition

A tropical plant or fruit, possibly a type of legume or seed-bearing plant from Central or South America.

Etymology

From indigenous Mesoamerican or South American language. Limited modern usage suggests this term describes a plant now known by other names or from a culture with diminished linguistic documentation.

Kelly Says

Words like cacana remind us that when indigenous peoples are displaced, their plant knowledge—including names for useful foods and medicines—vanishes from written records forever.

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