Brazil Nut Tree (Bertholletia excelsa)
Scientific Name: Bertholletia excelsa — Brazil Nut Tree.
Native Home: Amazon rainforest of Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Height: 30–50 metres, sometimes taller.
Lifespan: 300–500 years or more.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Hard wood, though commercial timber use is restricted in many areas.
Harvesting: Brazil nuts are collected from naturally fallen woody fruits on the forest floor.
Age to Harvest: Approximately 12–20 years or longer before substantial nut production.
Products: Edible Brazil nuts, nut oil, and cosmetic ingredients.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Indigenous Amazonian communities have collected and eaten the nuts for generations.
Global Spread: Mainly native to the Amazon Basin; cultivated in some tropical areas, but commercial production relies heavily on wild-harvested nuts.
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