Lecythis ampla

Miers

Monkey pot, Jicaro, Ample monkey pot tree

Lecythidaceae Edible: Nuts, Seeds Potential hazards — see below 88 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Lecythis ampla is a species of woody plant in the family Lecythidaceae, which also includes the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa). Common names include coco, olla de mono, jicaro and salero. It is found in Central and South America. It has been considered an endangered species in Costa Rica (IUCN, 1988).

Description

A tree. It grows 40 m high. The trunk is straight. The bark is brown and has cracks along it. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are 8 cm long. The leaves have a wavy edge and fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are 3 cm across. They have 6 blue to pink petals. The fruit is round and has a thick woody wall. It is 20 cm across. It has a lip that opens on a 9 cm wide hole. There are up to 50 seeds inside. The seeds are 4-5 cm long and have a groove. They are attached to the inside of the pot by fleshy stalks

Edible Uses

The nuts and seeds are eaten.

Traditional Uses

The nuts are eaten. Caution: The seeds can be poisonous if grown on soils high in selenium.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The sapwood is a creamy colour and fibrous, while the heartwood is dark brown when fresh and reddish brown when dried. The timber is resistant to marine boring invertebrates and is used for shipbuilding, bridges, and general and marine construction. It is also used to make furniture, tool handles, and posts. The bark can be used in tanning and has various other uses. The seeds can be eaten, but excessive consumption causes loss of hair. They are also used in northern Costa Rica to make sweets and caramel and in Panama as folk medicine to treat pneumonia and diarrhoea.

Known Hazards

Seeds can be poisonous if the plant grows on soils high in selenium.

Distribution

A tropical plant. In Costa Rica it grows between 5 and 500 m altitude. It grows in wet forest.

Where It Grows

Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, South America,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Propagation

Seeds collected from the ground should be separated by size and form and submerged in running water for 24 hours before sowing. Germination is 95 - 96% for soaked seeds. The first root, usually adventitious, develops at 45 - 60 days and shows rapid growth; the main root emerges later. Under greenhouse conditions, 11-month-old seedlings reach a height of 25cm and are suitable for planting out. Seed behaviour is recalcitrant. Viability diminishes with increasing dehydration.

Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the bark. This can be used as rolling paper for cigars, boat caulking, native clothing, tinder, and cordage. The bark has a high tannin content. The heartwood is brown when first harvested, turning reddish brown after drying. The sapwood is fibrous, creamy in fresh condition and light brown when dried. The wood is fine and straight-grained, dense, very hard, heavy, difficult to split and to cut. It is moderately difficult to work and saw and does not polish well. Its natural durability is high and preservation is difficult. The wood is excellent for ship construction, agricultural tool handles, frameworks, railroad foundations, furniture and cabinets, turnery, heavy general construction, bridge and marine construction (especially in waters with marine borers), piles, posts, and stakes.

Notes

It is an endangered species.

Synonyms

Lecythis ampullaria MiersLecythis armilensis PittierLecythis bogotensis MiersLecythis boyacensis R. KnuthLecythis costaricensis PittierLecythis curranii Pittier

Also Known As

Aray, Cachimbo, Caoba, Coco, Coco de mono, Coco salero, Hoya de mico, Hoya de mono, Jicaro, Olla de mono, Palo ryado. Pan suba, Panzua, Papayo

References (8)

Condit, R., et al, 2011, Trees of Panama and Costa Rica. Princeton Field Guides. p 266
Grandtner, M. M., 2008, World Dictionary of Trees. Wood and Forest Science Department. Laval University, Quebec, Qc Canada. (Internet database http://www.wdt.qc.ca)
Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 344
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 474
Martin, F. W., et al, 1987, Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics. USDA Handbook 642 p 98 (As Lecythis costaricensis)

Show all 8 references

Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.
Torre, de la, L., et al, 2008, Enciclopedia de las Plantas Útiles del Ecuador. Herbario QCA. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. p 404
Zuchowski W., 2007, Tropical Plants of Costa Rica. A Zona Tropical Publication, Comstock Publishing. p 242