SafePlants

Lecythis: The Monkey Pot Genus

Lecythis is a genus of woody plants belonging to the Lecythidaceae family. The genus was first described in 1758.

Considerations for Pets

• Some species of Lecythis produce large, woody fruits containing numerous seeds (nuts). These fruits may be of interest to some pets.
• Lecythis ollaria accumulates selenium, and its seeds have cytotoxic and depilatory effects.

Considerations for Children

• Some species of Lecythis produce large, woody fruits containing numerous seeds (nuts). These fruits may be of interest to some children.
• The fruit of Lecythis species opens by an apical lid.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Lecythis Loefl.
• Family: Lecythidaceae
• Synonyms for Lecythis ollaria:
  • Eschweilera cordata (O. Berg) Miers
  • Lecythis cordata O. Berg
  • Lecythis ollaria L. nom. illeg.
  • Lecythis ollaria Saldanha

Common Names

• Sapucaia
• Paradise Nut
• Monkey Pot
• Coco de Mono (for Lecythis ollaria)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Central and South America.
• Specific locations mentioned include:
  • The Guianas
  • Suriname
  • Venezuela
  • Ecuador
  • Honduras
  • Brazil (Amazon and Atlantic forests)

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Many species are large deciduous trees, growing up to 30 meters tall.
• Can also be found as a shrub.
• Lecythis ollaria is described as an up to 20-30 m tall deciduous tree with reddish yellow bark and simple, entire, alternate, sessile or sub-sessile, ovate to .
• Some species are climax species used in the restoration of degraded areas.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The flowers of Lecythis pisonis are pollinated by Xylocopa frontalis (a species of carpenter bee).
• Neotropical soldier flies (Stratiomyidae) have been reared from Lecythis poiteaui in French Guiana.

Quirky Facts

• The genus Lecythis is the type genus of the Lecythidaceae family, meaning it's the representative genus upon which the family's description is based.
• Lecythis ollaria is known to accumulate selenium.

Resources and Further Information

• The Plant List: Includes 178 scientific plant names of species rank for the genus Lecythis, with 27 accepted species names.
• Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
• ARKive: Offers photos and facts about Lecythis.
• IUCN Red List: Assessment for Lecythis prancei.