The extremely humid areas of the Paranaense forest, where the indigenous Guarani people have lived since ancient times, are the home for a semi-climbing plant called guaimbé (Philodendron bipinnatifidium). Belonging to the Araceae family, the plant produces edible, fleshy berries and fruits that are enclosed within leaves when unripe.
Due to their pleasantly sweet flavor, the berries and fruits of this plant are commonly made into a wide range of juices, jellies, and other traditional sweet specialties. Distinguished by large dark green and bright leaves (with low toxicity and reported healing properties), guaimbé also makes for an excellent ornamental plant, while its scarce roots have low resistance and their bark is used for making various everyday objects such as ropes and baskets.
Apart from being a part of the indigenous people’s diet, the plant is also commonly used for its medicinal and insecticidal properties.
