Sweet Prayer Plant (Thaumatococcus daniellii )
Sweet Prayer Plant (Thaumatococcus daniellii )is a member of the Marantaceae family, native to tropical West Africa. The plant is globally famous for its low calorie, nondiabetic natural sweetener called thaumatin found in the aril surrounding its seeds. Thaumatin is a taste altering protein that binds to taste buds and leaves a lingering sweet taste. Although Thaumatin is 3000 times sweeter than sucrose, its taste is markedly different from that of sugar. The sweetness of thaumatin builds very slowly. Perception lasts a long time, leaving a liquorice-like aftertaste at high concentrations.
🌷THE PLANT
Thaumatococcus daniellii is a herbaceous, clumping, rhizomatous shrub that grows up to 4m tall and has large papery, paddle-like leaves with numerous parallel lateral veins. Its pale purplish-pink flowers are clustered in simple or forked/spiked inflorescences near the base of the plant, and it produces fleshy berries throughout the year that contain 1-3 black seeds surrounded by sweet-tasting pulp. The plant is sometimes confused with Calathea lutea when it is not flowering, but Calathea leaves have a more silvery-white underside than it.
🌷CULTIVATION
Sweet Prayer Plant likes humidity , shade and lots of water. It can take full sun, as long as sufficient water is provided. Propagation can be by rhizomes, suckers or seeds.
🌷ETYMOLOGY
Genus epithet 'Thaumatococcus' derived from Greek words 'thaumato' (wondrous or miraculous) and 'kokkos' (berry). Species epithet 'daniellii' named in honour of British army surgeon and botanist, William Freeman Daniell , who led an expedition to Central Africa, and described indigenous uses of this African plant.
🌷SWEETENER AND OTHER USES
Fruit aril contains an intensely-sweet protein called thaumatin. This protein binds to the tongue's taste buds, causing a sweet sensation that slowly builds and leaves a lingering aftertaste. Thaumatin extracts which are about 3,000 times sweeter than sucrose, are widely used in confectionary, beverages, desserts, chewing gum, pet food and pharmaceutical products in Europe.
Traditionally it is used to sweeten bread, as well as to improve the flavour of sour food and fermented palm wine. Substituting synthetic sweeteners, it is used as a noncaloric natural sweetener. Thaumatin is not a carbohydrate and is thus an ideal sweetener for diabetics.[
🌷MEDICINAL USES
The seeds and leaf sap are potent as an antidote against snake venom and bee stings and for preventing dystocia. Leaf and root sap are used as a sedative and for treating insanity.
🌷OTHER USES
Leaves are used to wrap food or make mats.
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