Brazil carpotroche
Carpotroche brasiliensis

Family: Achariaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10-20 m high. It has a tall crown. The trunk is 30-40 cm across. The bark is rough. The leaves are simple and hairy when young. They are 14-18 cm long. The flowers occur singly or in small groups. The flowers are white but turn yellow and have a brown throat. Plants can be male, female or have both sexes. The fruit is a large green capsule. The seeds have a yellow aril around them. There are 80-120 seeds in each fruit.

There are about 30 Carpotroche species. They are also put in the family Kiggelariaceae and Euphorbiacece. Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in Brazil in forests near the Atlantic coast

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit pulp is eaten raw. They are used for wine like drinks.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The tree is grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and the seeds removed. Fresh seed are planted and they germinate in 15-30 days.

Plants grow slowly. Trees may be 1.5 m tall after 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Canudo-de-pito, Canudeiro, Fruta-de-babado, Fruta-de-comona, Fruta-de-cotia, Fruta-de-macaco, Fruta-de-lepra, Mata-piolho, Papo-de-anjo, Pau-de-anjo, Pau-de-cachimbo, Pau-de-lepra, Ruchuchu, Sapucainha

Synonyms

Carpotroche bahiensis Kuhlm.; Mayna brasiliensis Raddi;