About Echites panduratus A.DC.
Echites panduratus A.DC. is an herbaceous vine. Its leaves are oblong-elliptical to broadly ovate, measuring 4–13 centimeters in length and 1.5–8 centimeters in width. Its inflorescences are generally somewhat shorter than the leaves, and each holds 8–18 flowers. Flower pedicels are 4–6 millimeters long; bracts are ovate and 1–2 millimeters long; calyx lobes are ovate with either acute or obtuse tips, and measure 2–3 millimeters long. The corolla is white on the inside and greenish on the outside.
This species ranges from northeastern Mexico to Costa Rica. It serves as an important source of food in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Its buds and flowers are used for cooking in a variety of ways, including as an ingredient in pupusas.
