cacao
Theobroma cacao L.
Theobroma cacao, a small evergreen tree in the Malvaceae family, is native to the tropics of the Americas. Its seeds, known as cocoa beans when dried and fermented, are used to produce chocolate liquor, cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and chocolate. The tree is primarily distributed across regions in Colombia, including several national parks and natural reserves, as well as other parts of South America. The scientific name was first published in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The lectotype for the species was formally designated by Dorr, based on material and illustrations from Sloane. The name is derived from Greek, with 'Theobroma' meaning 'food of the gods' and 'cacao' as the common name.
Description
Theobroma cacao is a member of the Malvaceae family and is known for its economically important seeds, which are processed into chocolate-related products. It is native to the tropical regions of the Americas, with a documented presence in Colombia, including areas like the Parque Nacional Natural Sierra de la Macarena and the Galápagos Islands. The species was first described in 1753 by Linnaeus, with the type material later clarified by Cuatracasas and Dorr. The plant's scientific name is derived from the Greek words 'Theos' (god) and 'broma' (food), reflecting its historical and cultural significance. The tree thrives in tropical climates and is cultivated for its seeds, which undergo fermentation and drying before being used in food production.
Other common names
cocoacacaoChocolate Tree
Distribution
Colombia, Valle del Cauca, Santiago de Cali, Barrio El Refugio · BR · Cuenca río Amoyá: Maíto, Chaparral (763 msnm), Cuenca río Totare: Potrerito (700 msnm) · Parque Nacional Natutral de Amacayacu | Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona | Parque Nacional Natural Sierra de la Macarena | Parque Nacional Natural Tinigua · Distrito Regional de Manejo Integrado (DRMI) Laguna de Sonso, municipio de Guadalajara de Buga, Valle del Cauca, Colombia · TW · SC · CD · KM · Floridablanca | Girón | Rionegro | Sabana de Torres | San Vicente de Chucurí · Parque Nacional Natural Tinigua · ST · PH · MS · Galápagos Islands · Amani Forest Nature Reserve · East Usambara · Amazonas, Antioquia, Caquetá, Chocó, La Guajira, Guaviare, Huila, Magdalena, Meta, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Santander, Tolima, Valle, Vaupés · CR · Amazonia colombiana: sur del departamento del Vichada; el suroriente del Meta; todo el territorio de los departamentos de Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo y Vaupés; la Bota Caucana; y las vertientes amazónicas de Nariño (la parte alta de los · Caño Cuduyarí, departamento de Vaupés (Amazonia Colombiana) · Jardín Botánico de Bogotá · CO · Tinigua · LA · GQ · Andaman Is. · Belize · Bolivia · Brazil Northeast
Synonyms
Theobroma caribaeumTheobroma sphaerocarpumTheobroma leiocarpumTheobroma sapidumTheobroma salzmannianaTheobroma cacao f. leiocarpumTheobroma cacao subsp. leiocarpumTheobroma cacao var. leiocarpumTheobroma cacao subsp. sphaerocarpumCacao minarCacao sativaCacao theobromaTheobroma sativumTheobroma kalaguaTheobroma cacao subsp. cacaoTheobroma pentagonumCacao minusTheobroma integerrimumTheobroma saltzmannianaTheobroma sativaTheobroma sativa var. leucospermaTheobroma sativa var. melanospermaTheobroma cacao subsp. sativaTheobroma cacao subsp. pentagonumTheobroma cacao f. pentagonumTheobroma cacao f. lacandonenseTheobroma sativum var. leucospermumTheobroma sativum var. melanospermumTheobroma minus