Common Name: Taccy Nut

General Information

Taccy nut is a tree usually growing 15 - 40 metres tall[, ]. It the wild it is a tall tree with a small, dense and flattened crown, while under cultivation, it is about 15 metres tall with a larger, rounded crown-418].
The seed is valued for eating in Colombia, where it is commonly harvested from wild trees[]. The plant is also being grown in plantations to provide shade for crops such as cocoa in Ecuador and Colombia[]. The seeds are sold in local markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northern and western S. America - Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.

Habitat

A canopy tree in dense rain forests; at elevations from sea level to 2,300 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the semi-arid to moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,300 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 29°c, but can tolerate 12 - 35°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 800 - 5,000mm[].
Prefers a position in full sun[]. Succeeds on a wide range of soils[]. Tolerates a few months of mild drought and withstands brief waterlogging[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[].
Plant growth is rapid, with fruiting usually beginning in the seventh year when trees are around 7 metres tall[, ]. Occasional plants will commence fruiting when as young as 4 - 5 years old[].
The average weight of a nut is 8.5 g, attaining 12.5 g or more in superior selections[].
A 10 year old tree can yield 100 - 250 kg of nuts per annum, an old specimen has given about 800 kg[].
There is the potential for an annual production of 3,500 - 5,000 kg of oil per ha from trees bearing nuts with an oil content of 57%[].
Both monoecious and dioecious trees have been reported[] - it is important to make sure you are either growing monoecious forms, or have both male and female dioecious forms if seed is required.

Edible Uses

Seed - raw, roasted, fried or ground into a powder[, ]. The seeds have a pleasant flavour resembling hazel nuts. After removal of the leathery testa, the kernels can be eaten raw, roasted, fried or ground for a drink or sweets[, ].
Under dry conditions nuts will keep for around 30 days in the capsule; shell damage or a moist environment can initiate enzyme reaction leading to acidification and rancidity of the oil[]. The nuts are easily separated from the thin shell and, when dried and roasted, they can be safely stored for a long time in sealed plastic bags The seed is about 25mm long and is surrounded by a thin shell that can easily be broken with the fingers[].

The seeds are a source of an edible oil rich in linoleic acid (34.4%)[, ]. Once extracted the oil can be safely stored for a long time without turning rancid[].

Medicinal

Nuts and oil are an excellent cure for pulmonary complaints and dermatitis[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is grown to provide shade tree in coffee and cacao plantations[]

Other Uses

The oil extracted from the shells and seeds is used as an illuminant[, ].
A latex obtained from the bark is used as an illuminant[].

The wood is not regarded as valuable or durable. It is used for furniture[, ].
The wood is used to make an excellent charcoal[, ].

Propagation

Seed - it has a short viability and so should preferably be sown within 10 days of harvesting[]. It is reputed to fail to germinate if more than 35 days old[]. Shade is required during the first year of growth, followed by full exposure to the sun on transplanting when around 50 cm high at the onset of the following rainy season[].

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