Family: Malvaceae
Theobroma grandiflorum (Brazilian cocoa, copoasú, cupuaçu) is a tropical rainforest tree native to the Amazon Basin. It is naturally cultivated in the jungles of Northern Brazil. The pulp of the cupuaçu fruit is consumed throughout Central and South America, especially in the northern states of Brazil, and is used to make ice creams, snack bars, and other products. This plant has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date. Despite widespread cultivation, there are no confirmed reports of naturalization or invasiveness outside native range.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives, and could potentially spread, in regions with tropical climates
- Potential allelopathic properties
- Shade tolerant
- Reproduces by seeds (facilitating possible naturalization)
- Reaches reproductive maturity in 3 years
- Seeds dispersed by gravity, frugivorous mammals and through intentional cultivation
- Tolerates sever pruning
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Heavy shade may inhibit spread
- Largely self-incompatible
- Although bee-pollinated, pollinator limitations may reduce seed set
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Large fruit and seeds relatively large and unlikely to be accidentally dispersed
- Seeds recalcitrant and unlikely to form a persistent seed bank
