Theobroma speciosum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Theobroma speciosum |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Flowers of Theobroma speciosum before and during bloom. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Theobroma
|
| Species: |
speciosum
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Theobroma speciosum is a type of tree that flowers, belonging to the mallow family. It grows naturally in northern South America. This tree is quite common, being the 35th most found tree in the amazing Amazon rainforest.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The Meaning of 'Speciosum'
The second part of the scientific name, speciosum, means "beautiful" in Latin. It's used to show that the plant looks nice.
Common Names for the Tree
Theobroma speciosum has many different names depending on where you are:
- In Bolivia, people call it chocolatillo.
- In Brazil, it's known as cacauí or cacau de macaco.
- In Peru, you might hear it called cacaoy, cacaoíllo, cacau-rana, cacao biaro, cupuyh, or cacao sacha.
About the Tree
Theobroma speciosum is an evergreen tree, meaning it keeps its leaves all year round. It can grow up to 15 meters (about 49 feet) tall. The main trunk is straight, and its side branches grow outwards. The top part of the tree, called the canopy, is quite small.
Its leaves are simple and feel like leather. They also have tiny hairs. The leaves grow in a special way, alternating from one side of the stem to the other. The flowers are red and grow in thick groups right on the tree's trunk.
The fruits are about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long. Inside, they have around 20 seeds. These seeds are surrounded by a soft, white fruit flesh, which is then covered by a hard outer shell.
Where It Grows
Theobroma speciosum is found naturally in several countries:
How It Lives in Nature
The fruit of Theobroma speciosum is an important food source for animals like primates (monkeys) and rodents (like rats and mice). Flying insects help to pollinate its flowers, which means they help the plant make seeds.
Uses of the Tree
Food Uses
The soft, white flesh inside the fruit is eaten by some local groups, like the Ka'apor and Tacana peoples. The seeds can be used to make chocolate. They could also be used to create a substitute for cocoa butter, which is used in many foods.
Even the flowers of this tree are safe to eat! They contain many antioxidants, which are good for your body.
For Hygiene
The empty fruit capsules can be used to make useful products like soap and deodorant.
A Source for New Plants
This tree is a "crop wild relative." This means it's related to important crops like the cacao tree (T. cacao), which is grown for its cocoa beans. Theobroma speciosum could provide new genetic traits for the cacao tree, helping it become stronger or more resistant to diseases.
As an Ornamental Plant
Sometimes, Theobroma speciosum is planted in gardens just because it looks beautiful. It's used as an ornamental plant to make outdoor spaces look nicer.
Tree Diseases
Colletotrichum luxificum is a type of pathogenic fungus (a fungus that causes disease). This fungus can cause a plant disease called "witch's broom" in Theobroma speciosum.
