Chilindron
Thevetia ahouai

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A bush or small tree. It grows 1-3 m tall. It has a short stem. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are narrow and long and 8-20 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. They are broadly oval and taper to the tip. They bunch towards the tip of the branches. All parts have lots of latex. There are many flowers in a group. They are yellow. The fruit are 3-5 cm across. They are red.

There are about 10 Thevetia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 600 m altitude in Central America. It mostly grows along the edges of forests. It is in the humid lowlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Belize, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is eaten. The sap and seeds are poisonous to animals.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution

How it is grown

Fruit occur at any time of the year.

Its other names

Local names

Cojon be toro, Huevo de gato, Tomate del diablo

Synonyms

Ahouai nitida (Kunth) Pichon; Cerbera ahouai L.; Cerbera nitida Kunth; Plumieriopsis ahouai (L.) Rusby & Woodson; Thevetia calophylla Miers; Thevetia nitida (Kunth) A. DC.;