Common Name:

General Information

Theobroma velutinum is an evergreen tree growing around 10 metres tall.
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible fruits and seeds, which are used locally.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - Brazil, French Guiana, Surinam.

Habitat

The lower tree storey of evergreen rainforests[]. Fairly abundant in riverine and creek forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Insects, ?Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the hot, moist, lowland tropics[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, tolerating 16 - 40°c[]. It requires a mean annual rainfall within the range 2,000 - 8,000mm, evenly distributed throughout the year[].
Grows best in the dappled shade of other trees[]. Prefers a relatively rich, circumneutral soil[]. The plant is not drought tolerant, being unable to withstand even short dry seasons without the protection of dense shade and local humidity[].

Edible Uses

The seeds are used as a substitute for cacao (Theobroma cacao)[]. 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[].

Fruit - raw. The pulp is sucked out of the fruit, or it is used to make a refreshing drink[].

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[].

Other Uses

An oil, known as cacao butter, which is solid at room temperature, is obtained from the seed. 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[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: subtract 1 from 12