Herrania balaensis
P.Preuss
Malvaceae
Theobroma balaensis (P.Preuss) De Wild.
Common Name:
Seed capsule cut open to reveal the seeds
Photograph by: A. Gentry
General Information
Herrania balaensis is an evergreen tree growing up to 7.5 metres tall. The very straight, erect, cylindrical bole can be 15cm in diameter and is usually unbranched[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The edible fruit is gathered from the wild for local consumption. It might be actively cultivated by the local people[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Known only from six populations in wet coastal forest, its habitat is fragmented due to colonization, mining, and deforestation[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. The tree is classified as 'Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2010)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
Western S. America - Colombia, Ecuador.
Habitat
Wet coastal forests at elevations up to 500 metres[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Endangered |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw. The sweet white pulp surrounding the seeds is eaten[
521- Title
- Useful Plants of the Siona and Secoya Indians of Eastern Ecuador.
- Publication
- Fieldiana Botany New Series No. 15
- Author
- Vickers W.T.; Plowman T.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; USA.
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0015 - 0746
- Description
- Very terse, but it gives the uses of a large number of species. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. This white, acidulous pulp is eaten raw and is most delicious just before the complete ripening of the fruit[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The ovoid fruit is about 14cm long[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The following report is based mainly on the seeds of H. Nitida, but the seed of this species is likely to be very similar[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The seed contains up to 66% oil[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is solid at room temperature, turning liquid at 25 - 29°c[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The oil comprises 18 - 26% linoleic acid, 2 - 7% oleic acid and 74 - 76% saturated acids[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The following description of the wood is for H. Nitida. The wood of this species is likely to be very similar[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The heartwood is pinkish brown, the sapwood pale pink[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The wood has no distinctive odour or taste; it is straight- or wavy-grained; coarse-textured. It is light in weight; soft; not durable[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It requires sharp tools in order to cut smoothly across the grain[
635- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 39
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass.
- Year
- 1958
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst the many botanical articles is a treatment of the genus Herrania. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
