Common Name:

General Information

Micrandra sprucei is an evergreen tree.
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[].

Known Hazards

The seeds contain cyanic compounds and are poisonous[]. They can, however, be prepared as food - see the method below in Edible Uses[].

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - northern Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela.

Habitat

Sparse, caatinga forests on well-drained sandy soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	0.00 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.
Found on well-drained, sandy soils in the wild[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[]. 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[]. 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[]

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[].

Propagation

Seed -

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