Mora megistosperma also called Mora oleifera is a species of rainforest tree in the Bean Family (Leguminosae, or Fabaceae and in the Cassia subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It is commonly called Mora or Mangle Nato It is found in Costa Rica, Panama Colombia and Ecuador. It grows 147 feet (45 meters) in height and up to thirteen feet (4 meters) diameter at breast height (D.B.H.). It is most noted for producing the largest seeds of any Dicot plant (kidney-shaped typical of the family); and up to 7 inches (18 cm) long by six inches (15 cm) wide,[1] and up to four inches (ten cm) thick.[2] and can weigh up to 2.2 pounds (1000 grams).[3][4] and is exceeded only by Lodoicea and Cocos nucifera var. gigantea. The white flowers are in little spikes about five inches (twelve centimeters) long. The leaves are paripinnate with just two pairs of ovate or oblong leaflets, each leaflet up to seven inches (18 centimeters) long.[5]

Mora megistosperma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Genus: Mora
Species:
M. megistosperma
Binomial name
Mora megistosperma
(Pittier) Britton & Rose

References

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  1. ^ Janzen, Daniel H (1983). Costa Rican Natural History. Chicago: Univ. Chicago Press. pp. 280–281.
  2. ^ Cooke, Dr. Mordechai C. (1890). Freaks and Marvels of Plant Life. London: Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge. p. 366.
  3. ^ Janzen. Costa Rican Nat. Hist loc. cit.
  4. ^ "Manual de Plantas de Costa Rica -Volume XV number 4". October 2008. Retrieved April 8, 2008. excellent photograph
  5. ^ "Mora oleifera". Retrieved April 8, 2023.
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  • Blog with photograph of the seed: [1]