Cacao Tree
Theobroma cacao
Theobroma cacao, commonly known as the cacao or cocoa tree, is a tropical evergreen species …
Martius's Cacao (Theobroma martiana)
Theobroma martiana: Wild Amazonian Cocoa Relative
Native to the moist tropical forests of South America, Theobroma martiana grows as a wild relative of the cultivated cocoa tree. It plays an important role in the ecology of the Amazonian understory by providing food for native wildlife. Scientists study this species to understand the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of the genus Theobroma.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ Superrosids
- ∟ rosids
- ∟ malvids
- ∟ order Malvales
- ∟ family Malvaceae
- ∟ subfamily Byttnerioideae
- ∟ genus Theobroma (Cacao trees)
- ∟ species Theobroma martiana (Martius's Cacao)
Morphology
This species is characterized by its small to medium tree habit, usually reaching between 5 and 10 meters in height. The branches are covered with simple or stellate hairs when young. The leaves are alternate, elliptical to oblong, with a short petiole and a pointed apex.
Key morphological features of the reproductive structures include:
- Small, yellowish or reddish flowers produced in clusters along the branches.
- Oblong, woody fruit pods that turn yellowish-brown when mature.
- Multiple seeds surrounded by a pulp layer rich in mucilage.
Applications
The species is primarily of interest for ecological restoration and botanical research. Its seeds and pulp are occasionally collected from the wild by local populations for subsistence use. It serves as an important genetic backup for developing cultivars resistant to tropical plant pathogens.
Interesting facts
This plant honors the famous German botanist Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius, who extensively explored the Brazilian flora in the early 19th century. Although closely related to cacao, its beans are not used for commercial chocolate manufacturing due to their different lipid profile and lower yield.
Geography of distribution
- Northern Brazil
- Colombia
- Venezuela
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO): Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Free and open access biodiversity data.
- Tropicos: Botanical database maintained by the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Technical Information
External Databases: GBIF
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