Virola loretensis
A. C. Sm.
Wikimedia Commons - National Museum of Natural History
C. Dennis : Field Museum of Natural History - Botany Department
I. Huamantupa : Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad de Cusco
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
The fruit pulp is eaten, typically after roasting the fruit.
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant. It grows in dense rainforest. It grows in lowland areas that are not flooded.
Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, South America,
How to Identify
A tree. It grows 6-11 m tall. The crown can be open or pyramid shaped. Male and female flowers are on separate plants.
How to Grow
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.
Other Uses
The seeds are used as a substitute for soap. The seeds are rich in oil. It is used for making candles and soap. Cut or damaged trees exude a blood-red, watery latex that is similar to the kino of commerce. The wood is pale brown throughout; the fresh wood slightly fragrant, but tasteless. It is straight-grained; fine- or medium-textured; of light or medium weight; slightly fibrous, easy to cut, takes a smooth polish with a moderate lustre, and holds its place well when finished. Growth rings are absent or poorly defined.
Names & Synonyms
Cudu ni, Cumala, Cumala blanca, Cumala peluda, Cumula
References (4)
- Fern, K., 2012, Tropical Species Database http://theferns.info/tropical/
- Gilmore, M. P., et al, 2013, The socio-cultural importance of Mauritia flexuosa palm swamps (aguajales) and implications for multi-use management in two Maijuna communities of the Peruvian Amazon. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2013, 9:29
- Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 690
- Kew Plants of the World Online
