Jatoba : extremely decorative and hardy

Jatoba is a tropical tree prized for its many uses. People value it for its wood, fruit, and beauty. The tree is common in warm areas. It is also known as Hymenaea courbaril.

Jatoba trees grow tall. They can reach 40 meters in height. The trunk can be 2 meters wide. Its large crown gives shade. Young branches have brown hairs. The leaves are made of two sickle-shaped parts. These parts are about 7.5 cm long. They are shiny and feel like leather.

The tree has white flowers. They grow in groups called panicles. Each flower has 5 green petals. After the flowers, bean-like fruits grow. These fruits are about 15 cm long. When ripe, they turn dark brown.

Inside is yellow pulp. This pulp holds 1 to 6 seeds. The seeds have a hard, reddish-brown shell. Inside this shell is a white grain.