Costa Rica calatola, Catola
Calatola costaricensis

Family: Icacinaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 15 m tall. The trunk has low branches. The crown is dense. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaves are oblong and 10-25 cm long. The flowers are small and green or white. Trees are separately male and female. The fruit is fleshy with a bony layer around the seed. This is 7 cm long.

There are about 6 Calatola species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Costa Rica it grows from sea level to 2,000 m altitude. It grows in lower mountain and wet forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Peru, South America, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seed is best roasted then eaten. Caution: It can cause nausea if eaten raw or in large amounts.

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed will float in the sea for 1 year but may not grow after this.

Its other names

Local names

Anpo, Cuchipsun, Genipaparana, Gowe, Huevo de burro, Ishoan zu'je, Mati muyo, Nashum, Palo azul, Pio, Piu, Piyu, Sapil de corazon, Tintamino, Wema, Wenkamowe, Yana mucu

Synonyms

Calatola columbiana Sleumer; Calatola pastazana Sleumer; Calatola sanquininensis Cuatrec.; Calatola venezuelana Pittier;