Tribe Theobromateae | Scientific name Theobroma | |
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Lower classifications Theobroma cacao, Cupuaçu | ||
Cocoa tree cacao tree theobroma cacao
Theobroma is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae, that is sometimes classified as a member of Sterculiaceae. It contains roughly 20 species of small understory trees native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. The generic name is derived from the Greek words θεός (theos), meaning "god," and βρῶμα (broma), meaning "food". It translates to "food of the gods."
Contents
- Cocoa tree cacao tree theobroma cacao
- Theobroma cacao trees available in loxahatchee
- Selected species
- Formerly placed here
- Uses
- References
Theobroma cacao, the best known species of the genus, is used for making chocolate.
Theobroma cacao trees available in loxahatchee
Selected species
Formerly placed here
Uses
Several species of Theobroma produce edible seeds, notably cacao, cupuaçu, and mocambo. Cacao is commercially valued as the source of cocoa and chocolate.
Theobroma species are used as food plants by the larvae of some moths of the genus Endoclita, including E. chalybeatus, E. damor, E. hosei and E. sericeus. The larvae of another moth, Hypercompe muzina, feed exclusively on Theobroma cacao.
An active ingredient of cacao, theobromine, is named for the genus.
