Glaucous chocolate tree
Theobroma glaucum

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 grows up to 450 m above sea level. It can grow up to 1,000 m. 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.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, South America (country/location of origin)

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.

Fruit are appreciated locally.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Chuku, Maraco, Sacha cacao, Tobedaka, Tobedankawe

Synonyms

Theobroma calodesmis Diels;