Lecythis

Morphological Summary

Genus of tropical trees in the family Lecythidaceae native to Amazonia and northern South America. The lecythis or "sapucaias" are famous for their large urn- or vase-shaped woody fruits with a lid (the operculum), which when falling releases oily, nutritious seeds — known as "paradise nuts" or "crown nuts" — of exquisite flavour and exceptional nutritional value. The genus is one of many in the family Lecythidaceae, which also includes the Brazilian cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis). Their flowers are large and showy.