Gauco, huaco, or guao, also vejuco and bejuco are terms applied to various vine-like Central and South American, and West Indian climbing plants, reputed to have curative powers.
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.
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.
