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| Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada wikimedia.org |
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Summary
Theobroma grandiflorum, otherwise known as Cupuassu, grows up to 15 m high. It is evergreen with brown bark, elongated or pyramidal crown, and bole that can be up to 30 cm in diameter. It is common is rainforests in South America. The fruits are oblong, brown, and covered with a thick and hard exocarp. The fruit pulp can be eaten raw to made into juice, jams, and desserts. Seeds of this species are used as chocolate substitute. It is rich in oil and a great source of cocoa butter. It can also be used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Medicinally, the plant is used in the treatment of abdominal pains, angina, high blood pressure, chapped skin and burns, and bruises. Plants are usually grown from seeds.
Physical Characteristics
Theobroma grandiflorum is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects, Wind.
Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Bubroma grandiflora Willd. ex Spreng. Guazuma grandiflora (Spreng.) G.Don Theobroma macrantha Bernou
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Seed
Edible Uses: Chocolate Drink Drink Oil
The fruit contains a number of large seeds surrounded by a very aromatic, succulent pulp with a slightly acidic flavour[335 , 416 ]. This pulp can be eaten raw and is said to be delicious[317 , 335 ]. Creamy, with an exotic flavour[318 ]. Sweetish and agreeably scented[420 ]. It is also used to make fresh juice, ice cream, jam and tarts[317 , 318 ]. The brown fruit is 12 - 25cm long and 10 - 12cm in diameter, with the pulp occupying about a third of the space within[335 ]. Seed - used as a substitute for chocolate[420 ]. The seeds have a high amount of fat and give a good cocoa butter[317 ]. The seeds of species in this genus are generally a rich source of oil (around 50%), starch (around 15%) and protein (around 15%)[636 ]. They also contain a volatile oil and the stimulating alkaloids caffeine and theobromine[636 ].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial Cardiac Emollient Hypotensive Skin Stimulant Tonic
The plant (part not specified, but it is almost certainly the fruit or the seed[K ]) is nutritive, stimulant and tonic[318 ]. The seeds are used in the treatment of abdominal pains[318 ]. The juiced fruit is drunk to facilitate difficult births[318 ]. 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 ]. The butter is also applied externally as an emollient[238 ]. Cacao powder is taken internally in the treatment of angina and high blood pressure[238 ]. Cacao butter is an excellent emollient, being applied to the skin to soothe and soften it[238 ]. It is used traditionally to treat chapped skin and burns, and is also rubbed into bruises[238 ]. Research has shown that it can help to counter the bacteria responsible for boils and septicaemia[254 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Cosmetic Furniture Oil Wood
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[636 ]. The wood is of medium texture, straight-grained, moderately heavy and with moderate natural durability[420 ]. It is very little used, but is suitable for cabinet making and internal cladding of buildings[420 ].
Special Uses
Carbon Farming Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Management: Standard Regional Crop
A plant of the hot, moist, lowland tropics[636 ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, tolerating 16 - 40°c[636 ]. It requires a mean annual rainfall within the range 2,000 - 8,000mm, evenly distributed throughout the year[636 ]. Requires a position where shade is provided by taller trees[420 ]. Prefers a relatively rich, circumneutral soil[636 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8.5[418 ]. The plant is not drought tolerant, being unable to withstand even short dry seasons without the protection of dense shade and local humidity[636 ]. Freshly planted young trees usually grow away moderately well[420 ]. A seedless variety of this species exists[416 ].
Carbon Farming
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Management: Standard
Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
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Regional Crop
These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Plant 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 ]. Sow the seed as soon as it is ripe, in a semi-shaded position in individual containers[420 ]. Cover with about 15mm of soil. Germination rates of fresh seed is usually high, with sprouting taking place in 20 - 40 days[420 ]. Young plants are usually ready for planting out 5 - 6 months later[420 ].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Cacao blanco, Cocohuasu, Copoasu, Copoazu, Cupu-Assu, Cupuassu, Pupu, copoasu, copoasú, cupuassú, cupuasu, cupuaçú.
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Brazil
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(Willd. ex Spreng.) K.Schum.
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Theobroma grandiflorum
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