Common Name:

General Information

Herrania nycterodendron is a small, evergreen tree growing up to a height of 7.5 metres, but usually rather smaller[, ]. The stem, which is usually unbranched, is usually less than 10cm in diameter[].
The edible fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild for local consumption.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Amazonian regions of Brazil, Peru and Colombia.

Habitat

An understorey tree in dense rainforests that are not seasonally inundated, at elevations of 90 - 300 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. The sweet white pulp surrounding the seeds is eaten[, ]. This white, acidulous pulp is eaten raw and is most delicious just before the complete ripening of the fruit[]. The ellipsoid fruit is 10 - 12cm long, 4 - 5cm in diameter[].

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 -

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is half of 6?