Echites panduratus (common name: loroco ) is a climbing vine with edible flowers, widespread in Guatemala, El Salvador, and other countries in Central America as well as parts of Mexico. The name "loroco" is used throughout its range to refer to the species.
Echites panduratus is an herbaceous vine with oblong-elliptical to broadly ovate leaves . long, 1.5âÂÂ8 cm broad, inflorescences are generally somewhat shorter than the leaves, with 8âÂÂ18 flowers, the pedicels 4âÂÂ6 mm. long; bracts ovate, long; calyx lobes ovate, acute or obtuse, 2âÂÂ3 mm. long; corolla white within, greenish outside.
Echites panduratus ranges from northeastern Mexico to Costa Rica.
Echites panduratus is an important source of food in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The plant's buds and flowers are used for cooking in a variety of ways, including in pupusas.