Opposite taralea, English tonka bean
Taralea oppositifolia

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub with a climbing habit or a tree. It can grow 30 m tall. The leaves are opposite. They are divided with leaflets along the edges. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. They are purple, streaked with violet.

It is mentioned as being used for medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests near rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds - extract for flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cumaru, Cunduru, Tarala, Zapatero

Synonyms

Baryosma oppositifolium (Aubl.) Pers.; Coumarouna coriacea (Desv.) Taub.; Coumarouna oppositifolia (Willd.) Taub.; Coumarouna speciosa Ducke; Dipteryx applanata Benth.; Dipteryx nudipes Tul.; Dipteryx oppositifolia Willd.; Dipteryx oppositifolia var. parviflora (Benth.) Dugand; Dipteryx speciosa (Ducke) Ducke; Swartzia coriacea Desv.; Taralea nudipes (Tul.) Ducke; Taralea oppositifolia var. parviflora Benth.;