# Chaguar

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Not to be confused with [Jaguar](/source/Jaguar).

For the plant also known as cháguar, see [Deinacanthon](/source/Deinacanthon).

**Chaguar** is the common name of several related species of [South American](/source/South_America) plants of the family [Bromeliaceae](/source/Bromeliaceae), among them *[Bromelia serra](/source/Bromelia_serra)*, *[Bromelia hieronymi](/source/Bromelia_hieronymi)*, *[Deinacanthon urbanianum](/source/Deinacanthon_urbanianum)* and *[Pseudananas sagenarius](/source/Pseudananas_sagenarius)*, which are non-woody [forest](/source/Forest) plants with sword-shaped [evergreen](/source/Evergreen) [leaves](/source/Leaf), resembling [yucca](/source/Yucca). The different varieties grow in the semi-[arid](/source/Arid) parts of the [Gran Chaco](/source/Gran_Chaco) ecoregion.[citation needed]

The term *chaguar* is of [Quechua](/source/Quechua_language) origin; in areas where the [Guaraní](/source/Guarani_people) have had an influence, it is also known as **caraguatá**.

This plant is mainly employed by the [Wichí](/source/Wich%C3%AD) tribal groups in the [provinces](/source/Provinces_of_Argentina) of [Salta](/source/Salta_Province) and [Formosa](/source/Formosa_Province), [Argentina](/source/Argentina), to provide a resistant [fiber](/source/Fiber) that can be [woven](/source/Weaving) to make bags and [purses](/source/Handbag), [ponchos](/source/Poncho), [skirts](/source/Skirt), [fishing nets](/source/Fishing_net), string, [ropes](/source/Rope), [hammocks](/source/Hammock), [mats](/source/Mat), covers and clothing. Along with those made from hardwoods such as *[quebracho](/source/Schinopsis_lorentzii)*, chaguar crafts make up an important part of the economy of some Wichí groups, though the profits are scarce.[citation needed]

Chaguar is not cultivated. It grows in the semi-shade of a middle layer of the Chaco forest, and [reproduces](/source/Vegetative_reproduction) by [stolons](/source/Stolon). Desertification of the Chaco has decreased its presence, but the plant is neither endangered nor of primary ecological importance. Farmers consider it a pest and, since its [spines](/source/Thorns,_spines,_and_prickles) scare [cattle](/source/Cattle), they sometimes burn the *chaguarales* (plant colonies) during the dry season.

There are no restrictions on the collection and use of chaguar among the Wichí, but the task is time-consuming and labor-intensive. This fact and the [environmental ethics](/source/Environmental_ethics) of the tribe discourage [overexploitation](/source/Overexploitation).

## References

- [Wichi, Origen crafts](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927185515/http://www.origencrafts.com.ar/wichi.htm)
- [Lessons Learned: Case Studies in Sustainable Use](https://web.archive.org/web/20050324060130/http://www.biodiv.org/doc/case-studies/suse/cs-suse-iucn-chaguar.pdf)
- [FormosaExporter's store: Buy original Chaguar Shoulder Bags](https://web.archive.org/web/20100504125549/http://www.formosaexporter.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chaguar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaguar) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaguar?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.