Brosimum alicastrum Sw. subsp. alicastrum

  • Authority

    Berg, Cornelius C. 1972. Olmedieae, Brosimeae (Moraceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 7: 1-229. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Moraceae

  • Scientific Name

    Brosimum alicastrum Sw. subsp. alicastrum

  • Type

    Type. Swartz sn, Jamaica (S).

  • Synonyms

    Helicostylis ojoche Schumann ex Pittier, Brosimum terrabanum Pittier, Piratinera terrabana (Pittier) Lundell, Brosimum conzattii Standl., Brosimum gentlei Lundell

  • Description

    Description - Anthers peltate with fused thecae.

  • Discussion

    Use. The leaves are used for cattle fodder. The seeds are eaten; they are boiled, roasted, or ground, giving a black flour used for bread or tortillas (cf Cook 1935; Lundell 1937). The latex is probably like milk. The bark is said to contain a substance stimulating lactation. The wood appears to be a valuable timber.

    No distinct regional morphological discontinuities could be found.

  • Common Names

    ojoche, ujusthe, masico, guaimaro, breadnut

  • Distribution

    Cuba and Jamaica, and Central America from Mexico (State of Sonora) to Costa Rica, also Trinidad, Saint Vincent, and Carriacou (The Grenadines); in evergreen and primary or secondary semi-evergreen or deciduous tropical forests up to 1000 m altitude; regionally very common; also planted. The tree may occur in dry habitats but also in seasonally-flooded places near rivers or in swampy places. The tree is very common near ruins of ancient sites, giving the climax-association known as ramonal. \The

    Mexico North America| Guatemala Central America| Belize Central America| Honduras Central America| Nicaragua Central America| Costa Rica South America| Cuba South America| Jamaica South America| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines South America| Trinidad and Tobago South America|