Red snakewood tree
Cecropia glaziovii

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 8-16 m high. The trunk is upright. It is 20-30 cm across. The bark is smooth and has leaf scars. The leaves are alternate and have 7-11 lobes. They are 25-40 cm across. The fruit is an aggregate fruit with a fleshy pulp and sweet flavour.

Also put in the family Cecropiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests in coastal plains in Brazil. It grows up to 1,300 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The plants are grown from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested and allowed to rot in a plastic bag to make it easier to remove the seeds. The small seeds are washed out in running water using a seive. The seeds are put near the soil surface in a shady place to germinate. They germinate in 3-4 weeks.

Its other names

Local names

Embabua, Embauba-parda, Embauva-vermelha, Embauva, Imbauva

Synonyms

Cecropia macranthera Warb. ex Glaz.;