Lacmellea utilis
(Arn.) Markgr..
Cow tree
gbif· cc-by-nc
Field Museum of Natural History - Botany Department
Description
A tree. It grows 8-10 m tall. The trunk does not have spines. It has lots of latex. The leaf stalk is about 1 cm long. The leaves are 6-8 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped and they taper to the tip. The flowering shoots have 15 flowers. The fruit is a round berry. It is shiny and yellow when ripe.
Edible Uses
The sweet latex from the bark is edible and used as a milk substitute in tea and coffee. The fruit is also eaten and has a rich flavour.
Traditional Uses
The latex in the bark is sweet and edible. It is used as a milk substitute in tea and coffee. The fruit are eaten and have a rich flavour.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The latex is traditionally used as a milk substitute.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in the moist lowland tropics. It grows in swamp forest. It grows up to about 600 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, South America, Venezuela,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Production
In Guyana plants flower in September and produce fruit in May.
References (5)
- Allorge-Boiteau, L., Flora of the Guianas. 140 Apocynaceae p 116
- Fern, K., 2012, Tropical Species Database http://theferns.info/tropical/
- Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 340
- Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.
- van Roosmalen, M.G.M., 1985, Fruits of the Guianan Flora. Utrecht Univ. & Wageningen Univ. p 27
