Monkey Pot, Sapucaia nut, Pot nut, Pot tree
Lecythis ollaria
Family: Lecythidaceae
What it is like
A medium sized tree with a spreading crown. It grows to 13-35 m high. The leaves are simple and leathery. They are glossy and bright green. The flowers are mauve. The large fruit are produced at the tips of the branches. The fruit are 7.5-25 cm across. Because of their weight, the fruit hang downwards. They are cone shaped with a ridge at the base. At maturity the lid opens and the seeds fall out. The fruit is woody and hard. It is brown in colour and rough. There are 10-30 seeds in each fruit.
There are 26 Lecythis species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It suits the hot, humid tropical lowlands. It is best in a deep fertile soil. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Malaysia, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Venezuela, West Indies
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten fresh or roasted. CAUTION: It can be slightly poisonous if grown on selenium rich soils.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Nuts, seeds, caution
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. The seed take a long time to germinate.
Trees grow slowly. Trees start producing fruit and nuts about 10 years after planting. The seed easily fall and are scattered.
Its other names
Local names
Kacang sapucaia, Olla del mono, Moix do sapucaia