Abelmoschus esculentus (L - the University of Maine at Fort Kent

Kermath, Bennett and Pulsipher - Food Plants in the Americs
USES/NOTES: Coumarin, an aromatic oil extracted from the seed, is
used as a vanilla flavoring substitute and to scent tobacco,
snuff, soap, perfume, etc. Seeds occasionally are eaten boiled
and are cured in rum in Trinidad. Sweet fruit pulp is eaten fresh
in some places. Also medicinal and a construction lumber source.
Tree is among the tallest in the forest. Cultivated in parts of
its native range (most notably Venezuela), the West Indies, and
Nigeria.
NATURAL RANGE: Lowlands of northern South America from northern
Brazil, Venezuela, and the Guianas
REFERENCES: Bourke et al. 1987, Duke and Vásquez 1994, Gentry 1993,
Johnston and Colquhoun 1996, Kainer and Dureya 1992, Kermath
(notes), León 1987, Mabberley 1987, Martin et al. 1987, OAS 1973,
Plotkin 1993, Purseglove 1968, Rehm and Espig 1991, Silva et al.
1977, UFA/NYBG n.d.
Dipteryx oleifera Benth. [syn. D. panamensis (Pittier) Record &
Mell, Coumarouna oleifera (Benth.) Taub., Oleiocarpon panamense
(Pittier) Dwyer]
FAMILY: Fabaceae or Leguminosae subfam. Papilionoideae (bean or
pea)
ENGLISH: eboe, ebor, mountain almond, tonka bean tree
SPANISH: almendro, almendro amarillo, almendro corozo, almendro de
montaña, almendrón, choibá, choiva, igua, igua sapi
USES/NOTES: Seeds of this large tree are used like those of D.
odorata, edible after boiling or roasting, cured in rum for their
flavor, or to scent tobacco and other items. The large,
attractive tree is used to shade cacao (Theobroma cacao) and the
fruit is consumed by the increasingly endangered, great green
macaw (Ara ambigua).
NATURAL RANGE: Lowlands of northern Ecuador through Colombia to
Nicaragua
REFERENCES: Mabberley 1987, Martin et al. 1987, MBG n.d., Uphof
1968
Disterigma acuminatum (Kunth) Nied.
FAMILY: Ericaceae (health)
SPANISH: mortiño blanco, pipisiki
USES/NOTES: Translucent whitish fruit is edible.
NATURAL RANGE: Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
REFERENCES: Luteyn 1987, Luteyn 1996, Luteyn 2002
Disterigma alaternoides (Kunth) Nied. [syn. D. popenoei Blake]
FAMILY: Ericaceae (health)
SPANISH: chirimote, fiapilla, mortiño, perlillo, tirá, zchirpe
USES/NOTES: Translucent whitish to pink, or reddish-wine colored
fruit is eaten.
NATURAL RANGE: Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and
Bolivia
DRAFT - DO NOT DUPLICATE OR DISTRIBUTE
275