| BRIEF DESCRIPTION A medium-sized to tall tree reaching a height of 15-40 m. It the wild it is a tall tree with a small, dense and flattened crown, while under cultivation, it is about 15 m with a larger, rounded crown. The leaves are elliptic, about 25 cm long, 10 cm broad and leathery. The fruit is a woody capsule, 3.7-6.5 cm long and 3.2-4.5 cm in diameter. USES The nuts have a pleasant flavour resembling hazel nuts. The kernels are eaten raw, roasted, fried or ground and used in drinks and sweet. The crushed kernels and milk are fed to weaned children. The kernels are also the source of a edible oil rich in linoleic acid. Oil from shells, nuts and bark latex is used as an illuminant. Kernels and oil has medicinal properties. The wood is used as charcoal. The tree is grown as a shade tree for coffee and cacao. GROWING PERIOD Fast-growing perennial. The tree may begin to fruit after 4-7 years. COMMON NAMES Cacay, Inchi, Tacay, Taccy, Nogal, Arbol, Arbol de nuez, Pan de cada dia, Orinoco nut. FURTHER INF Cacay occurs in Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador at elevations between sea level and 2300 m. It tolerates a few months of mild drought. Shade is required in the first years, followed by full exposure to the sun. A 10 year old tree may yield 100-250 kg of nuts per year, while older trees may yield up to 800 kg. Annual oil yields may be about 3.5-5 t/ha. (pH estimated by the compiler). |