Coco de mono
Lecythis minor

Family: Lecythidaceae

What it is like

A tree. The leaves are oblong and 12-20 cm long by 4-9 cm wide. There are fine teeth along the edge. The flowers are in groups at the ends of branches. They are cream. The fruit are 5 cm across. It is a woody capsule. It opens by a circular lid.

There are 26 Lecythis species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in humid lowlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Hawaii, Honduras, Nicaragua, Pacific, Panama, South America, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

CAUTION: It can be slightly toxic if grown on selenium rich soils. They should probably not be eaten in large quantities from these soils. The oily nuts are used in chocolates and other sweets.

It is a cultivated food plant. The seeds are popular and eaten in large amounts.

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Coco-mono, Cocuelo, Coquillo, Coquito, Fruta del salero, Olla de mono, Olleto, Sapucaya, Trampa de mico, Trampa de mono

Synonyms

Chytroma bipartita (Pittier) R. Knuth; Chytroma valida Miers; Eschweilera bolivarensis R. Knuth; Eschweilera valida (Miers) Nied.; Lecythis elliptica Pittier; Lecythis elliptica Kunth; Lecythis magdalenica Dugand; Lecythis purdiei R. Knuth;