Aloysia deserticola
{{Short description|Species of shrub}}
{{For|the Southeast Asian condiment|Rica-rica}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Rica-rica.jpg
| image_caption = A specimen near Socaire, to the south of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
| authority = (Phil.) Lu-Irving & N.O'Leary
| genus = Aloysia
| species = deserticola
| synonyms =
{{Species list
| Acantholippia deserticola | (Phil.) Moldenke
| Acantholippia punenis | Botta
| Lippia deserticola | Phil.
| Lippia microphylla | Phil.
| Lippia trifida | Phil.
}}
| synonyms_ref = {{cite POWO |id=77143089-1 |title=Aloysia deserticola |access-date=9 March 2024}}
}}
Aloysia deserticola, also known as rica-rica or kore, is an aromatic shrub that is endemic to the Andean Altiplano, concentrated in the Chilean regions of Arica y Parinacota, Tarapacá, and Antofagasta.
Description
Aloysia deserticola is a branched shrub of {{Convert|0.4-1.0|m|feet}}, with cylindrical branches. It has yellow-green opposing leaves, with a "brain-like" appearance, that measure approximately {{Convert|1.5|mm|inches}} long and {{Convert|1.5-2|mm|inches}} wide. The leaves are trilobed, more or less rhomboidal in outline, with bumps on the abaxial side and a notable groove on each lobe. The epidermis has a thick cuticle that becomes thinner toward the top of the groove. The adaxial side has thick, whitish trichomes on the upper half and is hairy on the lower half. It has spiciform, terminal, and sessile racemes that are globose to cylindrical, measuring {{Convert|12-15|mm|inches}} in length. It grows lilac flowers, {{Convert|3-3.5|mm|inches}} in length.{{Cite web |title=Rica-rica / Kore |url=https://www.minsal.cl/portal/url/item/7d9a8480e07b1613e04001011e01021b.pdf |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=Ministry of Health of Chile |language=es}}
Uses
File:Rica Rica.jpg's Salta Province]]
In Northern Chilean cuisine, rica-rica is frequently used as an aromatic herb. It is used as a condiment, spice, and in the preparation of herbal infusions. Its leaves and branches are also dried and used to season food, as flavorings for mate and tea, as part of the drink known as a "rica-rica sour," and for making artisanal ice cream.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-28 |title=Gourmet Tourism: Spices and unique flavors of Chile |url=https://www.chile.travel/en/uncategorized/gourmet-tourism-spices-and-unique-flavors-of-chile-2/ |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=Chile Travel |language=en-US}}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mpx5BAAAQBAJ |title=Fodor's Chile: with Easter Island & Patagonia |date=2015-05-26 |publisher=Fodor's Travel |isbn=978-1-101-87878-1 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ferrandis |first=Tatiana |date=2022-11-21 |title=Nos comemos el florido desierto de Atacama |url=https://www.larazon.es/gastronomia/20221121/wwca2yuwpfdq7kq67a66tb5vrm.html |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=La Razón |language=es}}
In traditional medicine in communities such as San Pedro de Atacama, Toconce, Socaire, and Ollagüe, rica-rica is used to treat indigestion, as an antispasmodic that targets the symptoms of stomach problems. An infusion of its leaves is also used to treat circulatory and kidney problems.
Taxonomy
The species was initially described as Lippia deserticola by Rodolfo Amando Philippi and published in the Anales de la Universidad de Chile 2: 350, in 1865, and today this name is both a synonym and basionym.{{Cite web |title=Lippia deserticola Phil. |url=http://legacy.tropicos.org/Name/33700234 |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=Missouri Botanical Garden}} Later, it was transferred to the genus Acantholippia by Harold Norman Moldenke in Lilloa 5: 370, in 1940, a scientific name that also remains a synonym today.{{Cite web |title=Acantholippia deserticola (Phil.) Moldenke |url=http://legacy.tropicos.org/Name/50069376 |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=Missouri Botanical Garden}} Finally, in 2014, it was transferred to the genus Aloysia by Patricia Lu-Irving and Nataly O'Leary in Systematic Botany 39(2): 653.{{Cite web |title=Aloysia deserticola (Phil.) Lu-Irving & N. O'Leary |url=http://legacy.tropicos.org/Name/100441281 |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=Missouri Botanical Garden}}
= Etymology =
See: Aloysia
deserticola: Latin epithet that means "desert-dwelling"{{Cite web |last=Charters |first=Michael L. |title=Page D |url=https://www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/pageD.html |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=California Plant Names: Latin and Greek Meanings and Derivations, An Annotated Dictionary of Botanical and Biographical Etymology}}
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:Medicinal plants of South America