Caryodendron orinocense (Orinoco nut)

Caryodendron orinocense is a slow-growing tree that reaches 25 m in height. The trunk is long and slightly grooved; the bark is thin and grayish, dark green, or brown. The leaves are alternate, glabrous, dark green on the right side and light green on the back side, narrowly elliptical or oval. The tree is dioecious; the masculine flowers have a trifoliate calyx with oval sepals, pointed and membranous. The feminine flowers are sessile, forming a bracteate terminal sprig. Good yields have been observed in flooded soils and in fertile lowlands, but the tree also grows to great heights on the sides of mountains. Caryodendron orinocense is very susceptible to fire and does not endure prolonged droughts. The seed has a very short viability period, which makes sowing the species in other regions of the country difficult. It can be stored at +6 C without significantly affecting the percentage of germination. If the seeds are dried an additional week before refrigeration the viability period of the seed tends to lengthen. Good source of edible oil.