Helicostylis tomentosa

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 15-26 m high. It has yellow sap. The crown is tall. The trunk is straight and 40-50 cm across. The leaves are alternate. The leaf blade is oval or sword shaped and 5-32 cm long by 2-15 cm wide. Male and female flowers are separate. Male flowers are in a group of up to 15 flowers in the axils of leaves. The female flowers occur singly and usually without a flower stalk. The fruit are edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the Amazon in humid upland forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Africa, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, East Africa, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Mozambique, Panama, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The seeds are roasted and then eaten.

The fruit is very popular.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. The seeds can be collected from ripe fruit of the ground. These fruit are put in a plastic bag to partly decompose them then the seeds are washed out under running water. Seeds need to be planted fresh and are best in light shade. Seedlings emerge in 40-60 days.

Its other names

Local names

Aijadu, Amaji, Amoro do mato, Atinha, Cajiman, Charo macho, Charo peludo, Chimicua, Chunta paparu, Inare, Inhare, Jaquinha, Mao-de-gato, Misho chaqui, Nui, Pama, Pama-branca, Pata de gallo, Wichilla sacha, Xopahi, Xubaco

Synonyms

Helicostylis affinis Steud. ex Miq.; Helicostylis duckei A. D. Hawkes; Helicostylis podogyne Ducke; Helicostylis poeppigiana (Mart.) Trecul; Helicostylis tomentosa (Poepp. & Endl.) Rusby; Olmedia poeppigiana Mart.; Olmedia tomentosa Poepp. & Endl.; Olmedia polycephala Pittier; Trymatococcus guanabarinus Duarte; and others