Theobroma cacao

An evergreen tree to 15 m if unpruned but in cultivation kept to 6 m or less. It has characteristic branching of two types bearing different leaf arrangements. The short bole is 20 - 30cm in diameter. At 90-150 cm above the ground the terminal bud stops growth and a "fan" of 3-5 branches grows out. Suckers below this are not used. The first leaf "fan" dies down and is replaced by a new one.
BARK: thick, dark gray-brown.
LEAVES : large, simple, 17-30 cm, often smaller, hang down, red-brown when young, wider towards the pointed tip.
FLOWERS : on short shoots like "cushions" on the trunk and woody branches; small and yellow white about 1 cm across. The ovary has 5 sections which contain 2 rows of ovules.
FRUIT: the ovary develops into a ribbed pod 15-20 cm long with rows of beans, green at first like a cucumber. The fleshy pulp around 20-50 oval seeds is white at first, ripening red-brown. The thin fruit shell becomes shiny red-purple-brown.

Edible: dried, fermented and roasted seeds (cacao beans) are the source of cocoa, chocolate and cocoa butter, cacao beans are used in the confectionery industry to made chocolate confections, cakes, ice cream, drinks etc., butter-like fat (called cocoa butter) is extracted from the seeds , fruit can be made into juices and jellies, seed contains a pigment that is said to be useful as a food colouring. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Theobroma+cacao
Medicine: seeds, cacao powder, cocoa butter, leaf buds, the dry pods, and leaves. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Theobroma+cacao
Agroforestry: tree is often inter-planted with bananas, coconuts and rubber.
The cacao tree provides a wide range of commodities for local peoples including fiber for cloth, thread and paper; wood for construction, making implements etc. coverings for their houses and many other items.
The ash from pod husks can be pounded and made into a paste that has a soapy residue and can be used for washing clothes.
Cocoa-bean fat from unfermented cocoa beans can be extracted and used in soap making.
Cacao butter, obtained from the seeds, is used in skin creams, cosmetics and as a suppository base.
The wood is used for fuel and making charcoal.
The cocoa bean testa is used for fuel.

A small understorey tree from the rain forest of northern South America where several species grow in the deep rich soils. It grows best in a narrow belt north and south of the equator. In Uganda, it grows in Bundibugyo District under Maesopsis eminii and in Mukono District with banana and coffee or in forest on farmers' land. It needs to be protected from both sunlight and strong wind. In Kampala, cocoa can be found within Makerere, Makerere II zone C mong other places.

Grows best in neutral to acid well-drained soils. The long taproot will not grow down into shallow or rocky soils. Prepare deep holes and space plants 3 m apart. Pruning. Seedlings need shade.