Cobnut
Omphalea diandra

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A climber. It grows 30 m long. The stems are 20 cm across. The bark has a slimy white latex that turns red. The flowers are of single sexes but on the same plant. They are in the axils on old wood. They can be arranged with one central female flower. The fruit is a pear shaped berry. It can be angular. It is fleshy and 11.5 cm long by 8 cm wide and 7 cm thick. It tapers towards the base. The pulp is greenish-yellow and edible. There are 2-3 seeds. These can be 3 sided. They are 5 cm long by 4.5 cm wide and 3 cm thick. They are rich in oils and edible. They have a rough seed coat.

There are about 17-22 Omphalea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on ridges, along creeks and in rainforests. It grows up to 600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Asia, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, South America, Suriname, Trinidad, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten but the embryo is removed.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Baboen-noto, Cipo-castanha, Comadre de vanquero, Habilla, Hatun tikasu, Hunterman’s Nut, Que'rot'o, Russel river nut, Sapo huasca, Tikasu waska, Toad vine, Tutumillo, Waska estrella tikasu

Synonyms

Hebecocca panamensis (Klotzsch) Beurl.; Omphalandria diandra (L.) Kuntze; Omphalea cordata Sw.; Omphalea guyanensis Klotzsch ex Lanj.; Omphalea panamensis (Klotzsch) I. M. Johnst.;