Discover The Flora Brasiliensis In 5 Fruits
Flip through the pages of Brazil's first Flora publication and get to know some of the species represented
What is the Flora brasiliensis?
It is a book published between 1840 and 1906. It contains taxonomic treatments of 22.767 species, mostly Brazilian angiosperms (plants that bear fruits and flowers). Take a peek and discover some of them.
Vol. III, Part II, Fasc. 86 Plate 107 (1882-05-01)CRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
1. Açaí
Known and appreciated worldwide as a superfood, the dark purple pulp of açaí comes from the berries of a palm tree native of the Amazonian forests. Very long and tall, the palm tree can reach up to 20 metres, and the fruit hangs from multiple branches at the top.
Pulp of Euterpe oleracea (2013) by Luiza de PaulaCRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
Açaí has been consumed for centuries and is a staple of the Northern Brazilian cuisine. But the processing of the berries into a puree or powder means people all over the world can enjoy a healthy açaí bowl. Click here to see it documented on the Flora.
Vol. XII, Part III, Fasc. 96 Plate 16 (1886-03-01)CRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
2. Cocoa
Another plant documented by the traveling naturalists was the cocoa, another native of the Amazonian region. The beans, which Martius detailed in this plate of the Flora, once dried are used as the basis to make chocolate.
Various opened cocoa fruits (2019-03-12) by Rodrigo FloresOriginal Source: Unsplash
Other cocoa by-products include its pulp, juice, jam, fine distillates and ice cream. Cocoa butter is commonly used in cosmetics.
Vol. XIII, Part III, Fasc. 106 Plate 49 (1889-08-15)CRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
3. Papaya
Not only is it enjoyed as a fruit, it is also known for containing the enzyme papain, which is used in medicines, or as a softener for meat, fabrics, silk and leather, as well as in beer production. By the time of the Flora, it was already being cultivated in Brazil.
Papaya (2015) by Rodrigo ArgentonOriginal Source: Wikimedia Commons
The papaya family in the Flora Brasiliensis, the Caricaceae, besides the papaya fruit, has other native species with tasty fruits. You can find out more here.
Vol. XII, Part I, Fasc. 97 Plate 73 (1886-04-01)CRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
4. Pequi
Very popular in the Center West region of Brazil, pequi is a small fruit with many uses. It is a controversial fruit, while some love its flavor, others hate it. The bright yellow colour of pequi is very recognizable and used in various traditional recipes of the Cerrado biome.
Pequis, pulps and its nuts (2017) by Neide RigoCRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
The centre of the pequi is very prickly, full of sharp thorns. When eating a pequi, the fruit should be carefully gnawed between the teeth rather than bitten, or a tool should be used to scrape out the flesh.
Vol. VI, Part I, Fasc. 26 Plate 8 (1860-07-30)CRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
5. Mangaba
Mangaba is a small, round fruit that can be found in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. It has a yellow-green rind and a white, fleshy pulp that is sweet and sour. The fruit is often eaten fresh, but it can also be used to make juice, jam, and jelly.
Mangaba, watercolor (2010) by Eron TeixeiraOriginal Source: Blogspot
The bark, latex, leaves and roots of Mangaba are used medicinally and the wood can be used as firewood. It is usually harvested by women.
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