Couroupita guianensis

Common Name: Cannon-ball Tree

Family: Lecythidaceae

Country of Origin: C. & S. Trop. America

Uses: Parts used Juice, leaves, fruit.

Edible- Fruits are edible, but only occasionally eaten because of the unpleasant odor of the white flesh.

Traditional Folk Medicine- Used to treat colds and stomach aches. Juice from leaves used for skin diseases. Shamans of South America used tree parts for malaria. Fruit pulp used to disinfect wounds. Young leaves used for toothache.

Religious / Ritual: (1) Hindus consider it a sacred tree as the petals of the flowers resemble the sacred snake, Naga, a cobra protecting a Shiva Lingam with its hood. (2) In some parts of India, the tree is worshipped by childless couples.

Fragrance: Fragrant flowers can be used to scent perfumes and cosmetics.

Wood: (1) Hard shells of the fruit sometimes used as containers and utensils. (2) Wood used for making incense. ⁴

USDA Zone: 9b-11

Accession #: 200300247

Accession Date: 2003-07-08 00:00:00

Bloom Status: 🪴 Not Flowering

Location: 1312

Quantity: 1

Source: Renate Bucher - Seed

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Subclass: asterids

Order: Ericales

Family: Lecythidaceae

SubFamily: Lecythidoideae