Tropical Plant "Egg nut"
Couepia longipendula

Characteristics - The egg nut is not a cultivated fruit tree but can be found, rather frequently, in its natural habitat, the dry land tropical forest, of the central Amazon. It is an evergreen tree, 4-30m tall with an erect trunk 10-40 cm in diameter, and a dense crown. Leaves are simple, coriaceous, brilliant on the upper surface, 8-18 cm long. Inflorescences in long pedunculated, pendulous pauciflora panicles (up to 1 m long) with showy pink flowers of both sexes, form during the period from August to October. Fruits are ellipsoidal or ovate drupes with a think and fibrous skin (pericarp) and contain a single seed (nut).

Uses - The seed (nut), contained inside the woody endocarp of the fruit, can be consumed raw, roasted or toasted. It is very rich in protein and contains 75%-80% astringent oil, in a greenish-yellow color. The nuts are occasionally commercialized in regional markets. The fruits develop from January to March.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.