Common Name:

General Information

Hevea rigidifolia is an evergreen tree with a sparse crown; it can grow up to 18 metres tall[].
The seeds are an important food source for native people in some parts of the Amazon, though in other areas they are used as a food in times of famine only. The tree yields a latex that is high in resin and poor in rubber[].

Known Hazards

The seeds contain cyanic compounds are poisonous to humans unless treated[]. See notes on edible uses below[].

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - northern Brazil, Colombia.

Habitat

Prefers a high, well-drained, sandy or friable soil supporting a light, sparse, caatinga forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the 'Caatinga' dry forest region of northeast Brazil. The climate is hot and dry, there are usually 6 to 11 months without rain each year. The mean annual rainfall varies from 250 - 1,000mm, and the mean annual temperature is from 24 - 26°c.

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[]. Poisonous raw, the seeds are boiled for 24 hours, then the liquid is strained off[]. The mass that remains has somewhat the colour and consistency of rice that has been boiled a long time[]. The seeds are commonly used by some native people, though other tribes view them only as famine foods when better foods are not available[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A latex is obtained from the tree[]. The latex, which usually has a slightly cream-yellow hue, is poor in rubber and high in resin[].

Propagation

Seed -

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