Herrania camargoana
R. E. Schult.
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) André L. R. Cardoso, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by André L. R. Cardoso
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) André L. R. Cardoso, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A slender evergreen tree. It grows 3-6 m tall. The trunk can be 10-12 cm across.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
Although we have no specific information for this species, the pulp surrounding the fruits of most, if not all members of the genus are edible. This white, acidulous pulp is eaten raw and is most delicious just before the complete ripening of the fruit. The bitter seeds are pulverized and used as a condiment. The following report is based mainly on the seeds of H. Nitida, but the seed of this species is likely to be very similar. The seed contains up to 66% oil. It is solid at room temperature, turning liquid at 25 - 29°c. The oil comprises 18 - 26% linoleic acid, 2 - 7% oleic acid and 74 - 76% saturated acids.
Traditional Uses
The seeds are ground and used to flavour meat.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Known Hazards
The fruits of many members of this genus have some or many stinging hairs on them.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows between 360-500 m above sea level. It can be on barren granite mountains or in savannah.
Where It Grows
Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, South America, Venezuela,
Cultivation
Prefers sterile white sand and the most inhospitable of rocky slopes strewn with granite blocks and often nearly devoid of soil (the conditions in which it grows in the wild)]635].
Other Uses
The following description of the wood is for H. Nitida. The wood of this species is likely to be very similar. The heartwood is pinkish brown, the sapwood pale pink. The wood has no distinctive odour or taste; it is straight- or wavy-grained; coarse-textured. It is light in weight; soft; not durable. It requires sharp tools in order to cut smoothly across the grain.
Notes
Also in the family Byttneriaceae.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Fern, K., 2012, Tropical Species Database http://theferns.info/tropical/
- 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 413
- Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.
