Cecropia purpurascens

C. C. Berg

Urticaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 16 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Description

An evergreen tree. It grows 5-7 m tall. The trunk is 15-25 cm across. Plants are separately male and female. The fruit are finger shaped and 15 cm long and 1.5 cm wide

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A fleshy pulp with a sweetish flavour when ripe. The finger-shaped, aggregate fruit can be 150mm long and 15mm wide.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

The branches and leaf petioles of Cecropia species are often hollow and can harbour stinging ants. The trees attract the ants by means of producing a honey-like sap and the ants respond by working to keep the tree free of leaf-eating pests - which can include humans.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Brazil, South America,

Cultivation

Plants in this genus generally prefer a sunny position in a well-drained soil. Established plants are drought tolerant. A fast-growing, but short-lived tree. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Propagation

Seed - requires light to germinate. It can be sown in light shade in a nursery seedbed, but should not be covered, just lightly pressed into the soil. Germination rates are usually moderate, with the seed commencing to sprout after about 3 weeks. Greenwood cuttings in a frame with bottom heat.

Other Uses

The fibrous bark is used for making rustic ropes. The wood is thick-textured, straight-grained, light in weight, soft and not durable. Because of its low quality and small dimensions, the wood is only used for low value items such as boxes, toothpicks, shoe heels, pencils etc. Because it is light in weight, it can be used like balsa wood to make aeroplane models etc. It is also pulped as a source of cellulose. With their sparse canopy and attractive foliage that is green above and silver-felted below, members of this genus generally provide a dramatic canopy but only cast a very light shade, allowing other plants to be grown right up to the base of their trunk. Many members of the genus can be used as pioneer species when developing a new woodland.