Ambay pumpwood
Cecropia pachystachya

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree. It grows 7-15 m tall. The trunk is 15-25 cm across. The leaves are deeply dissected into 9-11 lobes. The leaves are 50 cm across. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. Flowers are small on finger like spikes. Male spikes are 5-10 and female spikes 4-5 and pale green.

Also put in the family Cecropiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It suits humid soils on the edges of forests. It grows up to 1,100 m above sea level. It needs a sunny position and a well-drained soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Argentina, Asia, Bolivia, Brazil, Indonesia, Paraguay, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The pulp of the ripe fruit is eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seeds. They sprout in 25-40 days. They can be grown from green wood cuttings.

It is fast growing. It is short lived.

Its other names

Local names

Ambay, Embauba-branca, Embauva, Imbauba, Mandio, Umbauba, Umbaubeiro

Synonyms

Cecropia adenopus Mart. ex Miq.; and many others