2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Couroupita (lat. Couroupita) - deciduous evergreen tree belonging to the Lecithis family.
Description
Kurupita is a deciduous evergreen tree, the height of which can reach as much as thirty-seven meters! In short, it is a truly gigantic tropical tree with a very strong dark brown bark. The lanceolate leaves of the curupite are attached directly to the tips of the branches, while their length often reaches two meters, and the large and rather fleshy, somewhat wax-like curupites are equipped with a huge number of stamens and boast a rather complex structure.
Among the most common varieties of kurupita, it is customary to note the Nicaraguan kurupita and the Guiana kurupita. The latter is still often called the "cannon tree" - perhaps because its mighty trunks throughout the year are densely strewn with round fruits of a rich brown color reaching twenty centimeters in diameter. Moreover, inside each fruit contains a jelly-like pulp with a very repulsive smell and a truly incredible amount of seeds. Oxidizing in air, the juicy pulp of curupita gradually turns bluish. And when these "cannonballs" fall down from the trees, they also "explode" with a characteristic loud crash. Fruits usually begin to fall off after full ripening, which takes about nine months.
Fragrant large flowers of this plant can be either orange or red. Slightly less common are pinkish or yellow shades. Wonderful flowers appear throughout the year on drooping peduncles growing directly from the lower parts of the trunks. By the way, the development of flowers directly on the trunks of plants or on their thick branches can be observed in a number of other trees (in cupuacu, jackfruit, etc.) - this feature is called caulifloria. But sometimes, in order to wait for the flowering of kurupita, you have to wait decently - the first flowers can begin to appear only after four to ten years!
Where grows
Kurupita is quite widespread in South America, from Panama to the vastness of the distant Amazon. This plant feels especially good on moist and humus-rich soils, as well as in low-lying rain forests.
Usage
Kurupita is most often planted in tropical gardens and parks, delighting the eyes of numerous visitors with its magnificent views. And in the wild, animals called bakers enjoy their unusual fruits with pleasure: crushing hard shells that seem stubborn at first glance, they extract juicy pulp from the cherished fruits and willingly eat it right with the seeds. By the way, by this they greatly contribute to the further spread of the plant throughout the forest! Bats, which often flock to the sweet aroma of luxurious flowers, are also extremely partial to these unusual fruits.
The fruits of guiana kurupita can also be eaten by people, but it is important to take into account that they are capable of provoking allergic reactions. And in some African homes, you can sometimes see fancy kitchen utensils, which were made from the hard shells of ripe fruit.
Growing and caring
Kurupita is very fond of bright sunlight, therefore, ideally, it should be planted exclusively in sunny areas (in the most extreme case, slightly shaded places are also suitable). And this plant simply loves humidified air and is extremely hygrophilous, respectively, it is important to try to constantly keep the soil moist and ensure regular abundant watering.
