Baru, Cumbaru
Dipteryx alata

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10-20 m high. The trunk is 40-50 cm across. The leaves are alternate. They are compound. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 12-15 cm long and 10-11 cm wide. There are 4-5 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are unequal on each side of the leaflet. The flowering stalk is at the end of the branch. It is 15-22 cm long. The fruit is fleshy with a hard stone inside. The fruit is 4-5 cm across. The seeds are 2-2.5 cm long by 1 cm across. There is only one seed in each fruit. The seeds are edible.

There are 10 Dipteryx species. They are tropical American plants. The seeds are very nutritious. They have antioxidant value.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in Brazil in semi-deciduous broadleaf forest. It grows in savannah regions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is eaten fresh. It is also used for sweets and jellies. They are also used for cakes and bread. The nut is eaten raw or roasted. It is made into peanut fudge.

The fruit and seeds are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, nuts, nuts - oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The fruit are harvested when ripe and although the fruit can be planted, it is best to remove the seeds. This is not easy. Seeds will only store for a short time. Fresh seed should be planted and they germinate in 30-40 days.

Trees can be 2.5 m tall in 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Almendro, Barujo, Camburu, Castanha-do-cerrado, Chimore, Cogma, Cumaru, Cumarurana, Cumbaru, Mbae a nen ishe

Synonyms

Coumarourana alata (Vogel) Taub.; Dipteryx pteropus Martius; Dipteryx pterota Mart.;