Cryptocarya moschata

Nees & Mart.

Brazilian Nutmeg

Lauraceae Edible: Seeds, Bark, Spice 5 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A large tree. It grows 11-30 m tall in forests but is shorter in open sunny positions. The trunk is cylinder shaped and 8-200 cm wide. The bark is flaky and and yellowish brown. The leaves are alternate and narrowly sword shaped. They are 4-16 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. The flower are pale yellow to green. The fruit can be oval or round. They are 2-4 cm long by 1-3 cm wide.

Edible Uses

The seeds and bark are used as a spice and serve as a substitute for nutmeg.

Traditional Uses

It is used as a spice. It is a substitute for nutmeg.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Brazil, South America, Venezuela,

Notes

There are about 200-250 Cryptocarya species.

Synonyms

Cryptocarya moschata f. angustifolia Mez

Also Known As

Bataia, Canela-fogo, Canela-noz, Canela-nhutinga

References (11)

Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 703
de Moraes, P. L. R., 2006, Taxonomy of Cryptocarya species of Brazil. State University of Campinas, Brasil. p 85
Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 182
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 229
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 279

Show all 11 references

Macmillan, H.F. (Revised Barlow, H.S., et al), 1991, Tropical Planting and Gardening. Sixth edition. Malayan Nature Society. Kuala Lumpur. p 383
Menninger, E.A., 1977, Edible Nuts of the World. Horticultural Books. Florida p 10, 81
Seidemann J., 2005, World Spice Plants. Economic Usage, Botany, Taxonomy. Springer. p 124 (Probably synonym Cryptocarya aschersonia)
van Wyk, B., 2005, Food Plants of the World. An illustrated guide. Timber press. p 259
Wickens, G.E., 1995, Edible Nuts. FAO Non-wood forest products. FAO, Rome. p 138
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