Family: LECYTHIDACEAE
Genre: Bertholletia
Species: excelsa
Common names: Brazil nuts, castania, castanheiro do Para, par-nut, creamnut
General Description: The Brazil nut tree is a tall rainforest canopy trees. It is the only species of the genus Bertholletia. This tree grows mainly in the forests with full canopies, it is enormous, reaching heights of 150 feet or more.
The Brazil nut tree is one of many similar species which illustrate the extraordinary ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest, where plants and animals depend on each other for their survival. More specifically, this tree requires the carpenter bees to pollinate its flowers. It also depends on the agouti (a rodent living in Central America) to disperse its seeds. This rodent has teeth and jaws strong, nuts crack open, then transports them through the rainforest floor.
Of Brazil nut trees grow very slowly, taking as long as 10 to 30 years before producing nuts, and sometimes the production of more than 300 fruit to maturity. The fruits of Brazil nut trees are hand when they are ground from November each year.
Place: The tree is known castanheiro do Para, Brazil and is found throughout the Amazon forest in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador.
Uses: The Amazon depends on the Brazil nut tree to a healthy economy. Exports of Brazil nuts began with the Dutch traders in the years 1600. Exporting the rainforest is one of the largest sources of income for the region. The monetary value is second to that of rubber. In addition, Brazil nut oil is an ingredient in skin creams because of its high content of selenium (antioxidant benefits) and its ability to lubricate and hydrates the skin. Brazil nuts tree bark is also used in a tea that May assist in the treatment of certain liver problems.
The main concern is the future of this important rainforest tree. If the uncontrolled extraction and export of Brazil nut continues, the survival of both the agouti and Brazil nut tree itself will be threatened.
From : ezinearticles
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