Leite de amapa, Brosimum
Brosimum parinarioides
Family: Moraceae
What it is like
Sometimes misspelt as Brosimum paranarioides
Brosimum parinarioides is an evergreen Tree growing to 32 m (105ft) by 22 m (72ft) 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): 32
Where it is found
A canopy tree in rainforests, especially on slopes; favouring laterite and bauxite soils.
S. America - northern Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, the Guyanas.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
S. America - northern Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, the Guyanas.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Carbon Farming - Staple Crop: protein. Used as an edible milk and for its wild harvested nuts.
Sap: usually of trees and usually but not always used as a drink.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.
Milk: made from plants, that is.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The latex obtained from the plant is mixed with dairy milk and then drunk as a remedy for internal ulcers.
Other
Rating: 3
A latex is obtained from the plant. It is used medicinally and has been used as an adulterant of balata (obtained principally from Manilkara bidentata). Balata is a gum or latex made from tree sap and resembling rubber. It is used for making gaskets, chewing gum and as a gutta-percha substitute. The heartwood is a uniform yellowish white to yellowish brown or light brown with golden shades; it is not distinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain straight to widely and shallowly interlocked; the lustre high; when seasoned there is no odour or taste. The wood is of moderate weight; soft to moderately hard; not very durable, being susceptible to fungi, dry wood borers and termites. It seasons normally, with only a slight risk of checking or distortion; once seasoned it is poorly stable in service. The wood works well with ordinary tools, however they need to be kept sharp otherwise the interlocked grain and the tension wood which is sometimes prevalent can cause fuzzy grain and burning of saws due to pinching; it takes stains and finishes readily; takes nails and screws well; presents no gluing problems. It is used for purposes such as light carpentry, light construction, flooring, furniture components, plywood, particleboard, fibreboard, pulp and paper products, and mouldings.
Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.
Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.
Latex: A source of rubber.
Paper: Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.
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.
Staple Crop: Protein: (16+ percent protein, 0-15 percent oil). Annuals include beans, chickpeas, lentils, cowpeas, and pigeon peas. Perennials include perennial beans, nuts, leaf protein concentrates, and edible milks.
Wild Staple Crop: Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Staple Crop: Protein: (16+ percent protein, 0-15 percent oil). Annuals include beans, chickpeas, lentils, cowpeas, and pigeon peas. Perennials include perennial beans, nuts, leaf protein concentrates, and edible milks.
Wild Staple Crop: Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
Carbon Farming - Cultivation: wild staple. Management: standard.
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
Its other names
Local names
Brosimum
Synonyms
Brosimum amplicoma Ducke