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Theobroma cacao (Cacao tree) tree
Genus species:
   Theobroma cacao
Common name:
   Cacao tree
Genus:
   Theobroma
Family:
   Malvaceae
Order:
   Malvales
Theobroma cacao (Cacao tree) tree
Genus species:
   Theobroma cacao
Common name:
   Cacao tree
Genus:
   Theobroma
Family:
   Malvaceae
Order:
   Malvales
Theobroma cacao (Cacao tree) tree
Genus species:
   Theobroma cacao
Common name:
   Cacao tree
Genus:
   Theobroma
Family:
   Malvaceae
Order:
   Malvales

Genus (Plantae): Theobroma

Theobroma is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae, that is sometimes classified as a member of Sterculiaceae. It contains roughly 20 species of small understory trees native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. The generic name is derived from the Greek words θεός (theos), meaning "god," and βρῶμα (broma), meaning "food". It translates to "food of the gods."

Theobroma cacao, the best known species of the genus, is used for making chocolate.

Uses

Several species of Theobroma produce edible seeds, notably cacao, cupuaçu, and mocambo. Cacao is commercially valued as the source of cocoa and chocolate.

Theobroma species are used as food plants by the larvae of some moths of the genus Endoclita, including E. chalybeatus, E. damor, E. hosei and E. sericeus. The larvae of another moth, Hypercompe muzina, feed exclusively on Theobroma cacao.

An active ingredient of cacao, theobromine, is named for the genus.


Reference: Wikipedia

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