Giler chocolate tree.
Theobroma gileri
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
An evergreen tree. It grows 14 m tall. The trunk is 20 cm across.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It is an under-storey plants in the rainforest. It suits the hot, moist lowland tropics. It suits areas with an annual average temperature between 20°-30° C and an average rainfall between 2,000-8,000 mm evenly distributed. It is best in rich soils and in dense shade. In Colombia it grows between 92-250 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Colombia, Ecuador, South America
How it is used for food
The seeds can be used for chocolate. The flesh of the fruit can be eaten raw or used for drinks.
Edible parts
Fruit, seeds
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from fresh seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Aengue-chocolate teiung, Cacao de montana, Llyoko-pistehi