Lecythidaceae, Lecythis elliptica, Mini-Brazil Nut, Monkey Pot
This is an incredible tree. Found it in a stand of three in a somewhat neglected botanical garden outside of Panama City. I have collected seed from them for years. Today all of the other Lecythis spp. were flowering profusely, this one was full of ripe pods. I already have about ten very healthy trees going in my nursery. Inside the baseball size capsule (a miniature version of L. sapucajo), there are numerous nuts packed together. A cream colored aril is attached to the end of each nut, it tastes like anise and I have been told it has psychoactive properties. The nut itself is one of the best nuts I have ever eaten, identical in taste to its close relatives, perhaps superior to Brazil Nut, although maybe that’s because I was eating them fresh.
See related info in entry for Lecythis zabucajo, Sapucaia Nut
please could you say the best way to plant seeds for germination?? Soak first?? etc?? I have acquired 2 only fresh nuts in their shells
Thankyou
M Kennedy
Thanks for visiting the site. I usually have luck germinating seeds with no treatment, they tend to come up readily if the seeds are fresh and viable. Soaking them for 24 hours wouldn’t hurt. Another thing I have done is take a file and scarify the seed coat a bit to help moisture permeate to initiate germination. Good luck.