Common Name:

General Information

Herrania albiflora is an evergreen tree growing up to 5 metres tall. The bole is around 11 - 14cm in diameter[].
The edible fruits and seeds are gathered from the wild, mainly for local consumption.

Known Hazards

The fruits of many members of this genus have some or many stinging hairs on them[].

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - Colombia, Venezuela.

Habitat

Dense forests on the slopes of the Andes at elevations from 90 - 900 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. The pulp is sweet, with a delicious flavour[]. This white, acidulous pulp is eaten raw and is most delicious just before the complete ripening of the fruit[].

Seeds[]. They are sometimes mixed with the seeds of Theobroma cacao when making chocolate[]. They are said to improve the flavour of the chocolate[].

The following report is based mainly on the seeds of H. Nitida, but the seed of this species is likely to be very similar[].
The seed contains up to 66% oil[]. It is solid at room temperature, turning liquid at 25 - 29°c[]. The oil comprises 18 - 26% linoleic acid, 2 - 7% oleic acid and 74 - 76% saturated acids[].

Medicinal

The seeds are used to make a bitter febrifuge[].

Other Uses

The following description of the wood is for H. Nitida. The wood of this species is likely to be very similar[].
The heartwood is pinkish brown, the sapwood pale pink[]. The wood has no distinctive odour or taste; it is straight- or wavy-grained; coarse-textured. It is light in weight; soft; not durable[]. It requires sharp tools in order to cut smoothly across the grain[].

Propagation

Seed -

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