Bertholletia excelsa
Brazil-nut tree
Bertholletia excelsa, commonly known as the Brazil nut tree, is a majestic rainforest giant prized for its nutrient-dense seeds. Beyond its culinary importance, this medicinal powerhouse offers potent antioxidant properties, essential fatty acids, and minerals, playing a vital role in supporting cardiovascular health and fighting oxidative stress in humans.
- Scientific name: Bertholletia excelsa
- Family: Lecythidaceae
- Native range: Pacific
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Ericales and the family Lecythidaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Bertholletia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Lecythidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bertholletia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Bertholletia excelsa, is known by a variety of common names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 巴西栗 (Bāxī lì), while in Polish, it is called orzesznica wyniosła. The Quechua language uses the name Kastaña, and in Korean, it is commonly known as 브라질넛 (beurajil-nut). Additionally, in Hebrew, the plant is identified as אגוז ברזילאי (egoz brazilai).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 巴西栗 | Wikidata |
| pl | orzesznica wyniosła | Wikidata |
| qu | Kastaña | Wikidata |
| ko | 브라질넛 | Wikidata |
| he | אגוז ברזילאי | Wikidata |
| ta | பிரேசில் கொட்டை | Wikidata |
| et | Parapähklipuu | Wikidata |
| de | Paranussbaum | Wikidata |
| nl | Paranoot | Wikidata |
| sv | Paranöt | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Bertholletia excelsa, exhibits a specific geographical range across several tropical regions. In the Northwestern Pacific, its distribution includes the Caroline Islands. Moving to the South American continent, it is widely found throughout the northern territories. Specifically, it thrives within the borders of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Finally, its presence extends into the northernmost parts of Venezuela.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Pacific | Caroline Is. | WCVP |
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Guyana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Suriname | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil North | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as the Brazil nut tree, is highly valued for its nutrient-dense seeds, which are the primary source of its commercially significant oil. This oil is extracted from the kernels of the seeds and is prized in both culinary and cosmetic industries due to its high concentration of essential fatty acids and antioxidant properties. While the tree itself is a massive component of the Amazonian ecosystem, it is the specific oil derived from its fruit that defines its medicinal and economic importance.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bertholletia excelsa has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aflatoxins, copper, magnesium, selenium, zinc.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aflatoxins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| copper | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| magnesium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| selenium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| zinc | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bertholletia excelsa has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, cognitive impairment, dyslipidemia, malaria, renal failure.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cognitive impairment | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyslipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| renal failure | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |