Narrowleaf monopteryx
Monopteryx angustifolia
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A large tree. It grows 25 m tall. The trunk is 120 cm across. It has buttresses. The fruit is a seed pod 18-20 cm long and flattened. The seeds are flattened and disk shaped and 45 mm x 35 mm x 10 mm.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest near rivers. It grows in the humid tropical lowlands. It grows in areas with an average rainfall of 26°C and an annual rainfall of about 3,400 mm.
Countries/locations it is found in
Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, South America, Venezuela
How it is used for food
The seeds are cooked and eaten. They can be roasted. They are bitter. They are better prepared by removing the seed coat and layer between the seeds and then softened in boiling water for 3 hours. To remove the bitterness they are leached in running water for 2 days.
The seeds are an important food for local people.
Edible parts
Seeds, seeds - oil
How it is grown
Seeds are collected from the ground after the pods split open. A seed weighs 7 g.
Its other names
Local names
Jimio, Sucupira, Uacurana-de-cheiro