Theobroma cacao
COMMON NAME | Cacao tree |
TYPE | Tree |
FAMILY | Malvaceae |
NOTES | The flowers are
produced in clusters directly on the trunk and older branches; this is known
as cauliflory.The fruit, called a cacao pod, is ovoid and ripening yellow to
orange. The pod contains 20 to 60
seeds, usually called "beans", embedded in a white pulp. The seeds
are the main ingredient of chocolate once dried, fermented and roasted, the
pulp is used in some countries to prepare refreshing juice, smoothies, jelly,
and nata. The Latin name for cacao is Theobroma, which means 'food of the
gods.' |
GEOGRAPHIC REGION | S. America - Brazil, Peru, Colombia,
the Guyanas; C. America - Belize, Guatemala, southern Mexico |
NATIVE HABITAT | An understorey plant
of evergreen rainforest in the wet humid tropics, growing in places that are
not usually seasonally inundated |
WEB SOURCES |
