ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information on the uses, folk medicine, chemistry, germplasm, distribution, ecology, cultivation, harvesting, yields, energy, and biotic factors of Coco de Mono. These trees are cultivated for the nuts, which have a delicious flavor and possess high oil content. Small trees are highly ornamental. The seeds have been reported to be somewhat toxic, especially if eaten in large quantities. Ingesting the nuts is known to cause loss of hair and nails, at least in seleniferous areas. Coco de mono is reported to tolerate low pH. Very closely related to another coco de mono, Lecythis ollaria found east of the Andes and also suspected to exhibit seed toxicity. Trees are easily propagated from seeds, but never systematically cultivated. These relatively slow-growing trees and their prunings could serve as energy sources. Probably pollinated by bees and disseminated by fruit bats as in Lecythis pisonis.
