Purple herrania
Herrania purpurea

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 2-5 m tall. The young branches are hairy. The leaves are simple and alternate. They have lobes like fingers on a hand. The leaves are 46 cm long by 17 cm wide. They are pointed at the top and wedge shaped at the base. The fruit are 8-10 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. They are narrowly oval and have 10 long ridges along them. They are pale green at maturity.

Also as Sterculiaceae and Byttneriaceae family.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Central America it grows between 50-400 m altitude. It grows in lowland forests. It grows in moist to dry sites.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The white aril or layer around the seeds is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds - drink

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Cacao de monte, Cacahuillo, Cacao milo, Lis-ub, Tino, Tusiro, Uis-ub, Wesob

Synonyms

Theobroma purpureum Pittier;