Jatobá Tree (Hymenaea courbaril)
Scientific Name: Hymenaea courbaril — Jatobá, Brazilian Cherry.
Native Home: Central America, the Caribbean, and tropical South America.
Height: 15–30 metres.
Lifespan: Several centuries under suitable conditions.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Highly valued for durable hardwood used in flooring, furniture, and construction.
Harvesting: Mature seed pods are collected when they ripen and fall.
Age to Harvest: Around 6–10 years for fruit production; timber harvesting takes much longer.
Products: Hardwood, edible fruit pulp, traditional herbal preparations, and tree resin.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Indigenous communities have used the fruit pulp as food and the tree for timber and traditional purposes.
Global Spread: Native to the Americas and cultivated in tropical regions for its timber, fruit, and ornamental value.
