Theobroma
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
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Family
Malvaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Genus Description - Small to medium-sized trees; twigs stellate-puberulous, becoming glabrate. Leaves entire or irregularly sinuate; stipules subulate, deciduous. Flowers bisexual, solitary to many in axillary, fasciculate cymes borne on the trunk and older branches; calyx of 5 sepals connate only at base, reflexed; petals 5, contorted, hooded, the apex prolonged into a strap-shaped appendage; androphore or androgynophore absent; stamens 10, arranged in 5 groups of 2, alternating with 5 staminodes, connate (stamens and staminodes) into a short staminal tube, the free portion of filaments short, minutely bifurcate, each branch with 1 2-locular anther hidden inside the petal hood; staminodes distinct, linear-subulate, elongate; ovary sessile, 5-carpellate, with many ovules per locule, arranged in 2 rows, the styles 5, free or partially connate, the stigmas apical, short, acute. Fruit a large, indehiscent, smooth to rugose, fleshy berry, with many seeds per locule; seeds ovoid to ellipsoid, surrounded by a thick, pulpy tissue filling the cavity.
Distribution and Ecology - A neotropical genus of ca. 25 species, ranging from Mexico to central South America, and introduced in cultivation throughout the tropics, including the West Indies.