Favela
Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A small spiny tree. It grows 4-8 m high. It has latex in the stems. The trunk is short and branches near the base. It is 20-35 cm across. The bark is thin and smooth. The leaves are simple and alternate. They have deep lobes and spines near the edges. The leaves are 8-16 cm long. The leaf stalk is 1-2 cm long and spiny. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves. They are of one sex and white. The fruit is a capsule with 3 valves. These have 3 seeds. The fruit is covered with irritant hairs.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil, South America

How it is used for food

The seeds are used to produce an edible oil.

Edible parts

Seeds, seeds - oil

How it is grown

The plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and the seeds removed. Because the fruit burst open they need to be covered to stop the seeds spreading. Seeds germinate in 2-3 weeks.

Its other names

Local names

Faveleira nut

Synonyms

Jatropha phyllacantha Mull. Arg.; Cnidoscolus lobatus Pohl.; Cnidoscolus quercifolia Pohl;