Theobroma bicolor
Humb. & Bonpl.
Malvaceae
Cacao bicolor (Bonpl.) Poir.
Theobroma ovatifolia Moc. & Sessé & DC.
Tribroma bicolor (Bonpl.) O.F.Cook
Common Name: Mocambo
General Information
Mocambo is a fast-growing, slender, evergreen tree with a rather narrow crown. Commonly, it is a small tree growing to a height of about 3 - 8 metres, though in high forest it can attain 25 - 30 metres
The tree is widely cultivated in Mesoamerica for its fruit[
,
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
] and is rarely escaped from cultivation[
]. It is usually only cultivated in small numbers wherever cacao is grown[
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
,
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
S. America - Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia; C. America - Panama to Mexico.
Habitat
Dense wet forests[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
]. The lower tree storey of evergreen rainforests[
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. This species is normally only seen in cultivation[
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
Edibility Rating |      |
Medicinal Rating |      |
Other Uses Rating |      |
Habit | Evergreen Tree |
Height | 12.00 m |
Growth Rate | Fast |
Pollinators | Insects, ?Wind |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 900 metres. The plant can also do well in upland tropical environments[
]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c[
]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 1,100 - 2,500mm[
].
Grows in part-shade to full shade[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
]. The plant prefers alluvial soils and tolerates minimal flooding[
]. Some forms seem to be adapted to deep and prolonged flooding[
]. Grows best in well-drained soil[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 8.5[
].
The tree slowly increases in size as it ages, and can be very productive[
].
It coppices fairly well, and can produce fruit at times when other fruits are scarce[
].
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw[
,
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
]. A pleasant, subacid flavour, though the odour is somewhat disagreeable[
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
]. It can be used to make desserts and refreshing drinks[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
,
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The ellipsoid fruit is about 15 - 20cm long and 10 - 11cm in diameter[
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
].
Seed - cooked[
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
]. Roasted or cooked with other foods[
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
]. Used as a beverage[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. A pleasant taste[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. The seeds are made into cocoa powder, or are used like almonds[
]. The seeds of species in this genus are generally a rich source of oil (around 50%), starch (around 15%) and protein (around 15%)[
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. They also contain a volatile oil and the stimulating alkaloids caffeine and theobromine[
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The seeds of this species only contain a small amount of theobromine, but are a rich source of cacao butter[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
A chocolate of inferior quality is obtained from the seeds[
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Medicinal
Although no specific reports of medicinal use have been seen for this plant, the seed is a source of cacao powder and butter. These products have the following medicinal uses:-
Cacao powder and butter, which are obtained from the seed, are nutritive[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
]. The butter is also applied externally as an emollient[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
Cacao powder is taken internally in the treatment of angina and high blood pressure[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
Cacao butter is an excellent emollient, being applied to the skin to soothe and soften it[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
]. It is used traditionally to treat chapped skin and burns, and is also rubbed into bruises[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
]. Research has shown that it can help to counter the bacteria responsible for boils and septicaemia[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
].
Agroforestry Uses:
This fast growing tree has a small canopy, and can be intercropped with many tree species[
]. It is usually grown as an understory plant in rainforests[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
].
Other Uses
The empty seedpods are sometimes used as containers and as pots for growing plants in[
,
,
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The seeds are a good source of cacao butter[
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. In addition to being used locally as a food and medicine, cacao butter is important in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries[
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Propagation
Seed - it has a very short viability, requiring high humidity and optimum temperatures to remain viable. There is no dormancy, the seed often germinating whilst still inside the pod[
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Grafting is not very successful because the bark heals with difficulty[
636- Title
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol. 35
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington.
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A treatment of the genus Theobroma and a monograph of the Humiriaceae are two of the various articles contained in this issue. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
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