Sloanea laurifolia
(Willd.) Benth.
(c) Jenny_Bee3, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Jenny_Bee3, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Jenny_Bee3, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
Fruit. (As Sloanea venezuelana) The fresh fruit, when eaten, is believed to cause a 'loco' type of feeling. When ground and cooked it is prepared into a tortilla similar to that of arepa de maiz. The fruit comprises a single seed up to 17mm long surrounded by a thin layer of fleshy, orange-coloured pulp.
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant. In rainforest areas that are occasionally flooded the tree grows tall.
Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Honduras, South America,
How to Identify
A tree. It grows 18-45 m tall. The trunk has buttresses. The leaves are alternate or opposite They are 6-14 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The fruit are green and 2-3 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. There is orange pulp around a single seed.
How to Grow
The branches are very brittle.
Other Uses
The wood is very hard.
Names & Synonyms
References (1)
- Plants of the World Online.
