Curatella is a genus of flowering plants in the family Dilleniaceae, order Dilleniales, first described by Pehr Löfling in 1758. It is monotypic, containing a single accepted species, Curatella americana, known by the common names wild cashew tree, sambaíba, and sandpaper tree.
Curatella americana is a semi-deciduous tree with a dense, rounded crown, typically growing 6 to 10 meters (20 to 33 feet) tall. Its trunk is short, thick, and usually crooked, reaching 40–50 centimeters (16–20 inches) in diameter.
The genus is native to the tropical Americas, with a range spanning northern South America (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guyanas), Central America from Panama to Mexico, and the western Caribbean. It typically grows in savanna and dry forest habitats; in Guatemala it is found on dry open or brushy hillsides below 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) elevation, or growing among pines.
Locally, parts of the plant — including its edible fruits and seeds — are used as a source of food, traditional medicine, and other commodities. It is generally harvested from the wild, though it is sometimes planted for its fruit and seeds, and it is widely grown as an ornamental tree in Central America.
Distribution
Native to the tropical Americas, ranging through northern South America (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guyanas), Central America from Panama to Mexico, and the western Caribbean.
Ecology
Typically found in savanna and dry forest habitats; in Guatemala it grows on dry open or brushy hillsides below 1,200 m (3,900 ft) elevation, or among pines.
Cultural Uses
The edible fruits and seeds are a local source of food and traditional medicine, and are generally wild-harvested, though the tree is sometimes planted for its fruits and seeds and is widely grown as an ornamental in Central America.
Taxonomy Notes
Curatella is a monotypic genus in family Dilleniaceae, order Dilleniales, described by Pehr Löfling in 1758; its only accepted species is Curatella americana.
