Theobroma bicolor
Humb. & Bonpl.
Peruvian cacao
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Summary
Source: WikipediaTheobroma bicolor, known commonly as the mocambo tree, jaguar tree, balamte, or pataxte, among various other common names, is a tree in the genus Theobroma (family Malvaceae), which also contains the better-known Theobroma cacao (cocoa tree). It is found in Central and South America, including stretches of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Description
A small evergreen tree. It grows 10-13 m high. It can be 30 m high in the forest. The leaves are papery and 15-35 cm long. They can have 2 colours. The flowers are in small groups on the thin branches. The fruit can weigh 300 g. The fruit is medium to large. It is 8-12 cm across. The fruit is cone shaped. The inside of the fruit is chocolate coloured.
Edible Uses
The seeds are roasted and used as flavouring like cacao, and yield cocoa butter. The pulp is used in drinks and desserts.
Traditional Uses
The seeds are roasted and used as flavouring, like cacao. They yield cocoa butter. The pulp is used in drinks and desserts.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
Although no specific reports of medicinal use have been seen for this plant, the seed is a source of cacao powder and butter. These products have the following medicinal uses:- Cacao powder and butter, which are obtained from the seed, are nutritive. The butter is also applied externally as an emollient. Cacao powder is taken internally in the treatment of angina and high blood pressure. Cacao butter is an excellent emollient, being applied to the skin to soothe and soften it. It is used traditionally to treat chapped skin and burns, and is also rubbed into bruises. Research has shown that it can help to counter the bacteria responsible for boils and septicaemia.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It suits the hot, wet tropical lowlands. It usually grows as an understorey plant in the rainforests in Central and South America. In Central America it grows from sea level to 1,000 m altitude.
Where It Grows
Amazon, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil*, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico*, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Peru*, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies,
Cultivation
Plants are grown from seed.
Propagation
Seed - it has a very short viability, requiring high humidity and optimum temperatures to remain viable. There is no dormancy, the seed often germinating whilst still inside the pod. Grafting is not very successful because the bark heals with difficulty.
Other Uses
The empty seedpods are sometimes used as containers and as pots for growing plants in. The seeds are a good source of cacao butter. In addition to being used locally as a food and medicine, cacao butter is important in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. This fast growing tree has a small canopy, and can be intercropped with many tree species. It is usually grown as an understory plant in rainforests.
Production
A fruit can weigh 300 g.
Other Information
It is cultivated fruit tree.
Notes
Also put in the family Byttneriaceae and the Sterculiaceae.
Nutrition
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed | 3.6 | 2519 | 603 | 17.1 | 0 | 0 | 3.4 | — |
Synonyms
Also Known As
Bacao, Cacao blanco, Cacao do Peru, Cacau-rana, Chis po yo, Culuju, Himoro amohi, Killa, Macambo, Macavu, Maraca, Maraco, Mocambo, Odaba, Odoba, Patashte, Pataste, Tiger cocoa, Wakamp
References (34)
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