Piquia

Caryocar villosum

Physical Characteristics

Caryocar villosum is an evergreen Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 35 m (114ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Northern S. America - Brazil to Guyana.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil Seed Edible Uses: Oil Seed - raw or cooked[63 ]. Eaten as a dessert[317 ]. The large, soft, white kernels have a delicious, rich, almond-like flavour[63 ]. Rich in oil[46 ]. An edible oil is obtained from the tissue surrounding the seed[63 , 317 ]. Another edible oil is obtained from the seed[63 , 317 ]. Fruit - raw or cooked[301 ]. It has the faint smell of rancid butter[301 ]. The fruit is more commonly cooked[416 ]. The fleshy, aromatic, yellow pulp has a slightly sweet flavour[416 ]. The seed case beneath the pulp has rigid spines - care should be taken when eating the fresh fruit that one does not harm themselves on these spines[416 ].

Medicinal Uses

Diaphoretic The leaves and bark are diaphoretic[739 ].

Known Hazards

The seed case beneath the pulp has rigid spines - care should be taken when eating the fresh fruit that one does not harm themselves on these spines[416 ].