Micrandra glabra
(R.E.Schult.) R.E.Schult.
Euphorbiaceae
Cunuria glabra R.E.Schult.
Common Name:
General Information
Micrandra glabra is an evergreen tree growing up to 30 metres tall[
587- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 37
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1956
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst other articles, it contains an excellent article on the food uses of the genus Hevea. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Although poisonous unless treated, the seeds are often gathered as a source of food for native people. The seed also supplies an oil used in lamps[
587- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 37
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1956
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst other articles, it contains an excellent article on the food uses of the genus Hevea. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Known Hazards
The seeds contain cyanic compounds and are poisonous[
587- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 37
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1956
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst other articles, it contains an excellent article on the food uses of the genus Hevea. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. They can, however, be prepared as food - see the method below in Edible Uses[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Botanical References
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
Range
Northern S. America - Venezuela, Surinam, Guyana.
Habitat
Savannah forests[
587- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 37
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1956
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst other articles, it contains an excellent article on the food uses of the genus Hevea. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Montane forests on sandstone[
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 25.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
Seed - cooked[
587- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 37
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1956
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst other articles, it contains an excellent article on the food uses of the genus Hevea. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The seeds are poisonous raw and need careful preparation to render them safe to eat. They are boiled and then washed several times to leech out the toxic compounds, after which they are broken up by hand. A paste resembling cream-cheese in appearance and taste can be prepared from them[
587- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 37
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1956
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst other articles, it contains an excellent article on the food uses of the genus Hevea. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Alternatively, the damp mash can be gently toasted on a flat plate over the fire and reduced to a fine greyish white meal which is made into casabe or unleavened bread[
587- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 37
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1956
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst other articles, it contains an excellent article on the food uses of the genus Hevea. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
A quantity of oil is collected from the seed when they are boiled in water. A very bitter flavour, it is burned in lamps to provide illumination[
587- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 37
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1956
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Amongst other articles, it contains an excellent article on the food uses of the genus Hevea. 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.
