Brazil Nut Tree (Bertholletia excelsa)
Forest
Rainforest
Brazil Nut Tree (Bertholletia excelsa)
Botany & Life Cycle
Massive Proportions: The tree frequently towers over its neighbors, reaching heights of 30 to 50+ meters (100 to 160+ feet). Its straight, cylindrical trunk can measure 1 to 2 meters in diameter.
Incredible Longevity: These trees commonly live for 500 years or more, with some specimens in optimal conditions estimated to be up to 1,000 to 1,200 years old.
The Coconut-Like Fruit: The tree produces large, round, woody fruits resembling cannonballs or coconuts that weigh up to 2 kg (4.4 lbs). When ripe, these heavy capsules plummet to the forest floor at speeds up to 50 mph.
The "Nuts" Inside: Inside the hard outer casing sits a cluster of 10 to 24 angular, woody shells packed tightly like orange segments. Each shell contains the edible kernel we know as the Brazil nut
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