Greyish chocolate tree
Theobroma subincanum

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 10-15 m high. The trunk is 25-30 cm across. The leaves are leathery and oblong or oval. They are 22-28 cm long by 10 cm wide. The flowers occur in groups of 1-3 and can be in the axils of leaves or along the branches. The fruit is oval and 7-10 cm long by 5-6 cm across. The outside is hard. There are about 15 seeds.

Also put in the family Byttneriaceae and the Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows throughout the Amazon region. It usually grows in highland forests along the banks of rivers. It can be on floodplains. It can grow up to 1,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Colombia, Ecuador (country/location of origin), Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. It is the layer around the seeds that is eaten. They are also used for juices. A drink is made from the seeds.

Fruit are enjoyed and sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seeds are collected from ripe fruit. The pulp is partly decomposed then the seeds removed under running water. Seeds need to be planted fresh and are best in part shade. Seedlings emerge in 20-30 days.

Plants grow slowly. The fruit ripen in the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Cacaohuillo, Cacao silvestre, Cacau de monte, Chocolatillo, Cupui, Hanpi, Kila, Kushillu hanpi, Me chocotu ni, Me sino ni, Sacha cacao, Tepenka, Tepenkawe, Waiporounahi, Wakam, Wakamp

Synonyms

Cacao guianensis Aubl.; Cacao sylvestris Aubl.; Theobroma ferruginea Bernoulli; Theobroma guianense (Aubl.) J. F. Gmel.; Theobroma sylvestris (Aubl.) G. Donn.; Theobroma tessmannii Mildbr.;