Simarouba Amara

Seeds were imported from Brazil. Simarouba amara is a large, evergreen tree with a broad crown that can reach a height of 42 meters tall, though is usually smaller. The straight, cylindrical, unbuttressed bole is up to 50 - 60cm in diameter, strongly tapered and frequently unbranched for 20 - 27 meters. A true multipurpose tree, gathered from the wild it is highly valued for its medicinal purposes and useful oil, also supplying an edible fruit and useful wood. The bark is sold in local markets and internationally. The tree is also cultivated for erosion control. The seeds contain 60 - 75% edible oil that can be extracted by conventional methods. Each well-grown tree yields 15 to 30 Kg nutlets equivalent to 2.5-5 kg oil and about the same quantity of oilcake. This amounts to 1000-2000 kg oil/ha/year and about the same quantity of oilcake. The oil is largely used in the preparation of bakery products in Central America. In India too it can be used in the manufacture of vanaspati, vegetable oil and/or margarine. The oil is free from bad cholesterol. The fruit can be eaten out of hand, as it is rich in sugars (about 11%) and can be used in the preparation of beverages. Seeds are viable and will be shipped in humid vermiculite.