Chrysobalanus icaco

Chrysobalanus icaco (pronunciation: kris-o-ba-lan-us i-ka-ko), commonly known as the coco plum or icaco, is a species of flowering plant in the family Chrysobalanaceae. The etymology of the name is derived from the Greek words 'chrysos' meaning gold and 'balanos' meaning acorn, referring to the golden fruits of some species. The species name 'icaco' is derived from its native name in the Taino language.

Description

Chrysobalanus icaco is a shrub or small tree that typically grows up to 2-6 meters in height. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple oval, entire, 3–10 cm long, with a whitish underside. The flowers are white, and the fruit is a round drupe 1–2 cm diameter, either a lush red or white, both with a sweet flavor when fully ripe.

Distribution and habitat

The plant is native to coastal areas of the tropical Americas, the Caribbean, and West Africa. It is commonly found in coastal hammocks, mangrove edges, and inland areas.

Uses

The fruit of the Chrysobalanus icaco is edible and is often used in jams and jellies. The wood is used for charcoal and the bark has been used in traditional medicine.

Related terms

Chrysobalanaceae: The plant family to which Chrysobalanus icaco belongs.
Drupe: A type of fruit that Chrysobalanus icaco produces.
Taino language: The language from which the species name 'icaco' is derived.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Chrysobalanus icaco
Wikipedia's article - Chrysobalanus icaco

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Chrysobalanus icaco