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Plants

Brazil nut

Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.

Family: Lecythidaceae · Genus: Bertholletia

Pará nut

Climax Emergent Mulch biomass
Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Amazonian emergent giant reaching 50 m. Pasini lists it in the emergent stratum of Tabela 3 and cites 'castanheiras' among Abundance-system species (emergent stratum). Pollinated exclusively by Euglossine bees.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage
Climax
Ecological role
Climax
Primary stratum
Emergent
Strata
Emergent
Biomass class
Mulch biomass

Environment

Light requirement
Full sun
Water requirement
High
Drought tolerance
Moderate
Waterlogging tolerance
None
Soil pH range
4.5–8
Preferred soil texture
Sandy, Loamy, Clayey
Hardiness zones
10–12
Frost tolerance
4.0 °C

Morphology

Mature height
30–50 m
Recommended spacing
6–8 m
Root system
Taproot
Root depth
Deep
Growth rate
Slow
Lifespan
≥ 500 years
Time to first harvest
144 months

Biomes & climate

Köppen classes

Where it fits in a guild

Brazil nut takes the Emergent stratum in the Climax phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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Emergent · ≈50 m High Medium Low Ground cover

🪴 Cultivation

Adapted to deep, well-drained, acidic upland soils (poor Oxisols, optimum pH 5.5–6.5, tolerates 4.5–8.0); does not tolerate waterlogging. Young trees need shade for 5–7 years; mature trees require full sun. Planted at ~6×6 m in Amazonian agroforestry. Flowers at 5–6 years but only fruits well from 8–16 years.

❓ Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest of Brazil nut?

The first harvest of Brazil nut comes around 144 months after planting.

What spacing is recommended for Brazil nut?

The recommended spacing for Brazil nut is 6–8 m.

How tall does Brazil nut grow?

At maturity, Brazil nut reaches 30–50 m tall.

What stage and stratum does Brazil nut occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, Brazil nut belongs to the climax stage, occupying the emergent stratum.

Functions

🌰 Nut 🍎 Fruit Timber Oil seed

Propagation

Seed

Citations

  1. Pasini, F. & Guimarães, L. (2017) — Conceitos e princípios práticos da agrofloresta sucessional, Tabela 3 (Incaper) , p. 116 (primary_stratum)
  2. Pasini, F. & Guimarães, L. (2017) — Sistema de Abundância , p. 118 (gotsch_stage)
  3. PFAF Plant Database — Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil Nut) (ph_min, ph_max, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max, soil_texture_preference, waterlogging_tolerance, root_depth, cultivation_notes)
  4. Scholz et al. (2015) — Growth and nutrient accumulation of Brazil nut trees in agroforestry (J. For. Res.) (spacing_min_m, spacing_max_m, cultivation_notes)
  5. CABI Compendium — Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil nut) (frost_tolerance_c, drought_tolerance, root_system)

External references

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