Research: MayaNut™ (Brosimum alicastrum)
This page is the canonical long-form research reference for MayaNut™ on mayanut.com. It organizes cultivation observations, germination behavior, seed characteristics, growth performance, geographic distribution, and Florida-based evaluation as a long-term perennial crop. Content is updated as new observations become available.
Botanical overview
MayaNut™ (Brosimum alicastrum) is a long-lived evergreen tropical food tree in the Moraceae family. Its canopy form and perennial life strategy make it relevant to long-horizon crop systems where durability, low replant frequency, and stable tree infrastructure matter.
This research is focused on practical cultivation behavior—how trees establish, grow, and persist under real conditions—especially as Florida provides a new environment for comparison.
Food characteristics: fruit and seed
The tree produces a fleshy fruit containing a single large seed. The fruit can be eaten fresh, but the seed is the primary focus for storage and processing. For research purposes, the seed is evaluated for repeatable traits such as size distribution, density, drying behavior, and performance after roasting and milling.
Sensory notes commonly reported by growers include a sweet, syrupy fruit character (often compared to tangy figs), while the seed becomes more aromatic and versatile after roasting.
- Seed size and uniformity across trees (selection potential)
- Drying behavior and storage practicality
- Roasting response and milling behavior
Germination and early growth behavior
Brosimum alicastrum can germinate quickly under favorable conditions and is known for hypogeal germination (cotyledons remain protected below the soil surface). Early vigor is monitored because establishment success strongly influences long-term outcomes.
Observations include sprouting speed, first flush timing, stem thickening, branching habit, and response to container culture and transplanting.
- Days to sprout and uniformity of emergence
- Leaf flush timing and recovery after handling
- Root/soil moisture sensitivity during establishment
Seed-grown populations and genetic diversity
The project emphasizes seed-grown populations to preserve genetic diversity. Variation among trees is treated as useful signal—differences in growth rate, architecture, and stress response can inform selection and domestication rather than being removed too early.
This approach supports responsible evaluation across Florida microclimates and soil types, where performance can diverge meaningfully between individual trees.
Growth characteristics and environmental tolerance
Once established, MayaNut™ is evaluated for durability under variable moisture, heat, and wind exposure. Growth performance is tracked relative to drainage, irrigation strategy during establishment, and seasonal temperature patterns.
The goal is to identify consistent traits for a perennial crop pathway while avoiding over-claiming outcomes before trees reach maturity.
Geographic distribution and Caribbean presence
The native range is generally described across parts of southern Mexico and Central America, with established Caribbean presence documented in locations such as Jamaica and Cuba. Regional context helps frame climate expectations while recognizing that local adaptation can differ across populations.
Distribution notes support responsible evaluation when studying Brosimum alicastrum outside its historic cultivation footprint.
Florida as a research context
Florida provides a practical test environment for a seed-grown perennial crop because small shifts in temperature, rainfall timing, and soil type can change performance. Observations focus on survivability, growth behavior, and long-term maintenance requirements under real cultivation conditions.
This page remains the long-form reference for ongoing MayaNut™ research updates as the work progresses.
Global potential in tropical regions
Broader interest includes how a long-lived tropical food tree might perform in suitable regions worldwide where seed-producing canopy trees can support resilient food systems. Any expansion should be based on localized trials, ecological safeguards, and long-horizon data.
This section is intentionally conservative: potential is discussed as a research direction, not a guaranteed commercial outcome.
The MayaNut Company and domestication efforts
The MayaNut Company is documenting cultivation and growth traits to build a practical baseline for domestication. The emphasis remains on seed-grown trees, observation-driven selection, and stewardship consistent with long-lived perennial crop development.
For project background, see About. For questions or collaboration, email info@mayanut.com.
Current research status and outlook
Current work remains in an early observational phase. As trees mature, research may expand into flowering and seed-set patterns, processing characteristics, and criteria for identifying high-performing seed-grown trees suited to Florida agriculture.
