Trumpet tree, Cecropia
Cecropia peltata

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A medium sized evergreen tree. It can grow 15-20 m high. The trunk can be 50 cm across. The trunk and branches are hollow. The leaves are large and have 7-9 lobes arranged like fingers on a hand. The leaves have lobes which are shield shaped. The leaves are downy underneath and shiny on top. The leaves can be 60 cm across. The flowers are pale yellow and showy. They are in fingered clusters on long stems. They are sweet and edible. The fruit is cylindrical, hollow with soft sweet flesh. They are 12 cm long. They are edible. There are many small seeds.

There are 61-75 Cecropia species. They grow in tropical America. Also put in the family Cecropiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to tropical America. It has moderate drought and cold tolerance. In Costa Rica it grows from sea level to 1,200 m altitude. It is best with a humus-rich, well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antilles, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Madagascar, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies, Winward Is.

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten fresh. The young pods are cooked as a potherb. The young buds are cooked and eaten. The young leaves and flowers are used in broth.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They are slow to germinate. They can be grown from cuttings of half ripe wood.

It grows rapidly.

Its other names

Local names

Boesipapaja, Congo pump, Guaromo, Guarumbo, Snake wood, Soro-soro, Trumpetwood, Wanasoro, Yagrumo

Synonyms

Cecropia asperrima Pittier; Ccropia surinamensis Miq.; and several others