Rosita de Cacao
Quararibea funebris

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 15-25 m tall. The trunk can be 25 cm across. It is smooth and slightly fluted. The branches are arranged in rings and come out horizontally from the trunk. The upper half droops. The leaves are alternate, simple and entire. The leaf stalk is 7-27 mm long. The leaf blade is oval and 8-40 cm long by 3-13 cm wide. The flowers can occur singly or as a few together. The flower stalk is 1-1.5 cm long. The flowers are tubular or funnel shaped. There are 5 petals that are spoon shaped. They are 1.5-4 cm long and white. The fruit is fleshy with one stone inside. It is 2-3 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. There are 1-2 seeds.

Also put in the family Bombacaceae. In the subfamily Bombacoideae.

Where it is found

It is native to Mexico. It grows in moist, wet primary forest. It needs fertile, well-drained soils. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It grows up to 1600 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize, Central America, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama

How it is used for food

The flowers yield an aromatic spice. The dried flowers are used to flavour chocolate drinks.

Leaves are sold as a spice on local markets.

Edible parts

Flowers, spice, fruits, leaves

How it is grown

It takes 5-6 years before trees start to flower. It can produce flowers all year round but especially in the wet season.

Its other names

Local names

Arbol canelo, Cacaoxichitl, Canela, Flor de cacao, Madre de cacao, Molinillo, Palanco, Palo de chocolate, Pataste, Saha, Sapote tape, Swizzle stick tree

Synonyms

Lexarza funebris La Llave; Myrodia funebris (La Llave) Bentham; Myrodia guatemalteca Donn.Sm.; Quararibea fieldii Millsp.;