Exellodendron cordatum

(Hook.f.) Prance

Chrysobalanaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 4 iNaturalist observations

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Description

An evergreen shrub or small tree. The crown is dense and round. It grows 4-6 m tall. The trunk is crooked and 20-30 cm across. The bark is thick and cracked.

Edible Uses

The fruit has a fleshy, sweetish pulp. This report does not say that the fruit is edible, but it is likely to be so - it is avidly eaten by birds and is in a family where there are many edible fruits. The fruit is a red or yellow, elliptic drupe 15mm long and 10mm wide containing a single seed.

Known Hazards

None mentioned.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in savannah. It suits a sunny, well-drained, fertile, sandy soils. Once established it is drought tolerant.

Where It Grows

Brazil, South America,

Cultivation

Grows best in a sunny position. Grows in the wild in well-drained, fertile, sandy soils. Established plants are drought tolerant.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A low germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 45 days.

Other Uses

The wood is medium-textured, straight-grained, heavy, soft to cut, with moderate mechanical properties and not very durable. It is only used locally, for purposes such as general construction, light cabinet making and boxes. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal.