Coco de mono
Lecythis minor

Family: Lecythidaceae

What it is like

Native to Central America and South America, Lecythis minor or Coco de Mono is a tropical woody tree. The leaves are oblong with teeth along the edge. The cream flowers form into groups at the ends of branches. The seed has an excellent flavor and usually eaten raw or roasted. It is rich in oil protein and vitamin B.

Lecythis minor is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Not known

Northwestern S. America - Colombia, Venezuela.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Colombia; Panama; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of, Central America, Colombia, Cuba, Hawaii, Nicaragua, Pacific, South America, USA,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Seed - raw or roasted. An excellent flavour. The seed is rich in oil, protein and B vitamins.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

Other Uses We have no specific information on the wood of this species. A general description of the wood from this genus is as follows: The heartwood is light to dark salmon; the sapwood is creamy-yellow. The texture is medium fine and uniform; the grain fairly straight or slightly interlocked; lustre is mostly low but high in some species; there is no distinctive odour or taste. The wood is reported to be very durable upon exposure to both a white-rot and a brown-rot fungus confirming its reputation for high resistance to decay; it is also highly resistant to dry-wood termites and is reported to be moderately resistant to marine borer attack. It is rated as easy to moderately difficult to air season, depending on species; a slow to rapid drying rate is reported; warp and checking ranged from slight to moderate. The wood is moderately difficult to work because of its high density; however, surfaces obtained in planing, boring, sawing, and shaping were smooth and rated as good to excellent. Silica content varies with species and dulling of cutters is also variable. The wood is used for purposes such as heavy construction, ship keels and beams, railroad crossties, industrial flooring and other uses requiring high impact resistance (wagon wheels, tool handles), turnery.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

A plant of the hot, humid, tropical lowlands. Prefers a deep, fertile soil.

Propagating it: Seed -

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

In some areas the seeds are reported to be somewhat toxic. The toxicity may depend on selenium concentration in the soil. Selenium poisoning can cause temporary loss of hair and nails and nausea.

Its other names

Local names

Coco de mono - Spanish

Synonyms

Chyrtoma valida Miers Eschweilera valida (Miers) Niedenzu Lecythis bipartita Pittier Lecythis ellipt