Gauco, huaco, or guao, also vejuco and bejuco are terms applied to various Central and South American, and West Indian plants, reputed to have curative powers. South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... The Caribbean or the West Indies is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. ...

Native Americans and Colombians believe that the guaco was named after a species of kite, in imitation of its cry, which they say it uses to attract the snakes which it feeds on. Tradition says that the plant's powers as an antidote were discovered through watching the bird eat the leaves, and even spread the juice on its wings, before attacking the snakes. Native Americans (also Indians, Aboriginal Peoples, American Indians, First Nations, Alaskan Natives, Amerindians, or Indigenous Peoples of America) are the indigenous inhabitants of The Americas prior to the European colonization, and their modern descendants. ... Genera Milvinae    Harpagus    Ictinia    Rostrhamus    Haliastur    Milvus    Lophoictinia    Hamirostra Elaninae    Elanus    Chelictinia    Machaerhamphus    Gampsonyx    Elanoides Kites are raptors with long wings and weak legs which spend a great deal of time soaring. ...

Any twining plant with a heart-shaped leaf, white and green above and purple beneath, is called a guaco by Native Americans (R. Spruce, in Howards Nueva Quinologia, Cinchona succirubra, p. 22, note), which does not necessarily coincide with which plants are "true" guacos, as far as natuaralists are concerned.

What is most commonly recognized in Colombia as guaco, or Vejuco del guaco, would appear to be Mikania Guace (Humboldt and Bonpland, Fl. equinox. i~. 84, p1. 105, 1809), a climbing Composite plant of the family Eupatoriaceae, preferring moist and shady situations, and having a much-branched and deep-growing root, variegated, serrated, opposite leaves and dull white flowers, in axillary clusters. The whole plant emits a disagreeable odour. Variegation is the appearance of differently coloured zones in the leaves, and sometimes the stems, of plants. ...

It is stated that the Central American natives, after taking guaco, catch with impunity the most dangerous snakes, which writhe in their hands as though touched by a hot iron (B. Seemanii Hookers Journ. of Bet. v. 76, 1853). The odour alone of guaco, has been said to cause, in snakes, a state of stupor; and Humboldt, who observed that proximity of a rod steeped in guaco-juice was obnoxious to the venomous Coluber corallinus, was of opinion that inoculation with it gives perspiration an odour which makes reptiles unwilling to bite. The drug is not used in modern medicine. 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

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