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[, ] and is rarely escaped from cultivation[]. It is usually only cultivated in small numbers wherever cacao is grown[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia; C. America - Panama to Mexico.

Habitat

Dense wet forests[]. The lower tree storey of evergreen rainforests[]. This species is normally only seen in cultivation[].

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[]. 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[]. 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[, ]. A pleasant, subacid flavour, though the odour is somewhat disagreeable[]. It can be used to make desserts and refreshing drinks[, ]. The ellipsoid fruit is about 15 - 20cm long and 10 - 11cm in diameter[].

Seed - cooked[]. Roasted or cooked with other foods[]. Used as a beverage[]. A pleasant taste[]. 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%)[]. They also contain a volatile oil and the stimulating alkaloids caffeine and theobromine[]. The seeds of this species only contain a small amount of theobromine, but are a rich source of cacao butter[, ].

A chocolate of inferior quality is obtained from the seeds[].

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[]. The butter is also applied externally as an emollient[].
Cacao powder is taken internally in the treatment of angina and high blood pressure[].
Cacao butter is an excellent emollient, being applied to the skin to soothe and soften it[]. It is used traditionally to treat chapped skin and burns, and is also rubbed into bruises[]. Research has shown that it can help to counter the bacteria responsible for boils and septicaemia[].

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[].

Other Uses

The empty seedpods are sometimes used as containers and as pots for growing plants in[, , ].

The seeds are a good source of cacao butter[]. In addition to being used locally as a food and medicine, cacao butter is important in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries[].

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[].
Grafting is not very successful because the bark heals with difficulty[].

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