Cecropia polystachya

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 8-15 m high. The trunk is 25-35 cm across. The leaves are alternate. They are 45-50 cm long by 40-45 cm wide. They are divided into 8 lobes. The flowers are small. The fruit hangs down. They are finger like. These are 12-16 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are flexible.

There are 61-75 Cecropia species. They grow in tropical America. Also put in the family Cecropiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Bolivia they grow up to about 1000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

They are used to make jams and drinks.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and put into a plastic bag to help them rot then the seeds are removed. The seeds are filtered out with water, then dried. Fresh seed are planted. They germinate in 25-40 days. The seedlings are transplanted when 5-6 cm high.

Its other names

Local names

Ama, Amabai, Ambaiba, Arvore-da-preguica, Bicig, Embauba, Embauva, Imbaiba, Jayu, Socoturu, Umbauba-do-brejo, Umbauba, Umbaubeira

Synonyms

Ambaiba adenopus (Mart. ex Miq.) Kuntze; Ambaiba pachystachya (Trecul) Kuntze; Cecropia adenopus Mart. ex Miqu.; Cecropia lyratiloba Miq.; Coilotapalus peltata Britton;