Sapucaia nut, Paradise nut, Monkey nut
Lecythis zabucajo

Family: Lecythidaceae

What it is like

A large deciduous tree. It grows 35 m high. The trunk is clear and straight when growing in rainforest. Cultivated trees are smaller. The leaves are simple and deep green. They are 12 cm long by 6 cm wide. They are papery with scalloped edges. The flowers are showy and white or yellow with purple edges. They have 6 petals. The stamens are inside a hinged flap. The flowers have a strong scent. The fruit is a capsule or pod 20 cm long by 26 cm wide. It is round with a 'lid'. The seeds are spindle shaped and deeply ridged. They are 5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide.

There are 26 Lecythis species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to Brazil and Guiana. It grows in the humid fertile lowlands and river valleys. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, French Guiana, Ghana, Guianas, Guyana, Honduras, Martinique, Mauritius, Pacific, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Suriname, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The nuts are eaten. They are eaten fresh, roasted or used to make confectionary. CAUTION: The seeds can accumulate toxic levels of selenium from the soil.

An important edible nut. The seeds are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seeds.

The fruit take 18 months to mature. Then the lid drops releasing the seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Castana, Kume, Olla de mono, Nuez de paraiso, Nuez sapucaia, Sapucaia, Toko, Tongo, Wadaduri, Yarakaru tumari epi

Synonyms

Lecythis crassinoda Miers; Lecythis davisii Sandwith; Lecythis davisii var. gracilipes Eyma; Lecythis hians A. C. Sm.; Lecythis lecomtei Pamp.; Lecythis tumefacta Miers; Lecythis validissima Miers;