Common Name:

General Information

Hevea spruceana is an evergreen tree. The bole is conspicuously bellied at the base[].
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. This species is favoured for food since it produces the largest seed in the genus[]. The plant yields a latex, but this is of low quality for rubber[]. It is used in breeding programmes to improve the disease resistance of the rubber tree (H. Brasiliensis)[].

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, Guyana.

Habitat

Low and very deeply flooded river-banks in the rainforest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

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 obtained from the plant can be used to make rubber[]. The plant yields a watery, white latex that is almost devoid of rubber[].

Propagation

Seed -

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