Common Name:

General Information

Herrania lemniscata is an evergreen tree growing up to 9 metres tall[].
It is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and seeds, which are used locally.

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - Brazil, Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, Venezuela, Colombia.

Habitat

Rainforests, often in swamps and on rather swampy soils, at elevations from 120 - 900 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	7.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. The white, acidulous pulp surrounding the seed is eaten raw[]. The pulp is most delicious just before the complete ripening of the fruit[].

Seed - used to make a chocolate-like beverage[].

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

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[].
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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