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Tree Species (Scientific Name)

Brosimum alicastrum

Tree Family

Moraceae

Average Leaf Size (cm)

12.83cm

Length

5.27cm

Width

Tree Height

Large (> 35m)

Elevational Range (m)

>1210m

Distribution

Native

Exotic

Native to Peru

Native to

Region

Americas

Latin America

Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Venezuela

Coffee Agroforestry Information

Coffee System

Arabica

Coffee Impact

Beneficial to coffee

Prevalence

Not Common in Coffee Agroforestry

Cultivation

Planted

Natural

Tree Management

Bats and various mammals help in seed dispersal. Trees of this species partially drop their leaves during the dry season. Each tree produces abundant fruits that can be collected from the ground. To extract the seeds (1 per fruit) the fruits are soaked in water. The seeds are medium to large (approx. 900 to 1,200 per kg). Without pre-germination treatment, an average of 90% germination is obtained, which begins 8-10 days after planting. The seeds lose viability within a few weeks. Natural regeneration seedlings can also be collected for planting in the nursery. Growth in nursery is very fast. Seedlings can reach 25-35 cm in height in a time of 4 months. They require shade during their initial development. It has a low incidence of pests.

Tree Benefits and Uses

Farmer Uses

Food
Livestock Forage
Lumber
Medicinal

It is used to make furniture, flooring, tool handles, and carpentry. The cooked seeds are eaten. The leaves and tender branches are eaten.

Farm Services

Coffee Shade
Soil Improvement

Coffee Shade: provides sparse to medium shade

Biodiversity Benefits

Yes

It produces fruits that are consumed by some birds and fruit bats, and houses insects and arachnids eaten by insectivorous birds. Various mammals help in seed dispersal.

Citations

Plants of the World Online POWO (2022). "Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org;

Román, Francisco, et al. Guía para la propagación de 120 especies de árboles nativos de Panamá y el neotrópico. 2012. Mendoza, A. L. M., & Guerrero, M. H. (2010). Catálogo de los árboles y afines de la Selva Central del Perú. Arnaldoa, 17, 203-242.