Allophylus edulis

Allophylus edulis (Portuguese: chal-chal) is a plant species in the genus Allophylus endemic to the Guianas, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay.

Description

A bushy tree. It can grow 1-15 m tall. The trunk can be 30-50 cm across. The leaves are alternate and have 3 leaflets. The flowers are small and white. The fruit are about the size of a pea. They are red.

Edible Uses

The fruit contain a small amount of edible flesh and have been used to make an alcoholic drink. The seeds are also edible.

Traditional Uses

The fruit have a small amount of edible flesh. The fruit have been used to make an alcoholic drink. (Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer)

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Quebrachitol, a cyclitol, and viridiflorol, a sesquiterpenoid, are found in A. edulis.

Known Hazards

The fruit have been used to make an alcoholic drink (Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer).

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil*, Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, South America, Uruguay,

Cultivation

Succeeds in sunny positions and in dappled shade. Prefers a moist soil. A fast-growing tree.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A germination rate in excess of 80% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 30 days. When the seedbed-sown seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out less than 6 months later.

Other Uses

The wood is light in weight, soft, compact, more or less elastic, with good mechanical properties and of low durability when exposed. It is used for cabinet making, stays, poles etc. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal. A fast-growing tree that can tolerate sunny positions and also is a good source of food for the native fauna, it can be used as a pioneer plant when restoring native woodland and also for establishing woodland gardens.

Notes

There are 190-200 Allophyllus species. Some say there is just one widely variable species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Chal-chal, Chale-chale, Chanchal, Cochinilla, Coco, Cocu, Cuncum, Koku, Vacum, Waku

References (17)

• Alimenticias - FloraSBS
• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 20
• Bortolotto, I. M., et al, 2018, Lista preliminar das plantas alimenticias nativas de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Iheringia, Serie Botanica, Porto Alegre, 73 (supl.):101-116
• Brack, P., et al, 2020, Frutas nativas do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: riqueza e potencial alimentício. Native fruits of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: richness and potential as food. Rodriguésia 71: e03102018
• Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 24

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