Bere, Leopard-wood, Snakewood
Brosimum guianense

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A tall tree. It grows 30 m tall. The trunk is 85 cm across. It has large buttresses. The small branches have round scars where the stipules fell off. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are 5-9 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. They have a pointed tip. The leaves are dark green above and paler underneath. The veins are yellow underneath. Broken leaves and twigs drip white latex. The flowers are yellow on small disk shaped heads.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowland wet forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit pulp is eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Amourette, Azulillo, Breadnut, Coquillo, Gatea, Granadillo, Inhare-mole, Machinga, Mariabe, Mishochaqui, Muira pinima, Tamamuri, Yema de huevo.

Synonyms

Alicastrum guianense (Aubl.) Kuntze; Brosimum aubletii Poepp. & Endl.; Brosimum discolor Schott; Brosimum lecointei Ducke; Brosimum lemeei (Benoist) Lemée; Brosimum palmarum Standl.; Brosimum panamense (Pittier) Standl. & Steyerm.; Brosimum rotundatum Standl.; Brosimum tessmannii Mildbr.; Brosimum velutinum (S.F.Blake) Ducke; Piratinera discolor (Schott) Pittier; Piratinera guianensis Aubl.; Piratinera lemeei Benoist; Piratinera mollis Killip; Piratinera panamensis Pittier; Piratinera scabridula S.F.Blake; Piratinera velutina S.F.Blake;