BRAZIL NUT

Brazil nut is a native of the Amazon forest in South America, found wild in the forest and not as cultivated crop. The tree is very tall, growing up to 33 meters high with a small crown. Mature leaves are dark green turning to brownish red at senescence. Long panicles of flowers are produced; the flowers are about 2.5 cm wide. The fruits are attached to a thick stalk. They are large and hard, measuring 10-15 cm wide and 15-20 cm long, dark brown in color with a rough surface. At the tip of the fruit are lid-like structures, which on ripening falls off and the seeds fall through this opening. Each fruit may contain 10-15 nuts which are closely packed. Each nut is 3.7-6.2 cm long, triangular in cross section. The coat is tough, rough and brown in color. The edible part of the nut is the ceramic white kernel inside each nut. Brazil nut is not a commercial crop neither is it seen around much in Malaysia. It was first planted in the early 1900. At present these specimens are found in Serdang Crop Production Centre. They come to production 8-10 years after planting. They are personality sterile; therefore groups of plants have to be planted together as single tree does not produce fruits. The fruits take over a year to ripen.