Other Plants
There are several significant plants in the Amazon rainforest that, while not warranting a full feature, deserve attention for their unique traits and roles within the ecosystem. Here are a few of these remarkable species:
Walking Palm
The walking palm (Socratea exorrhiza) is known for hosting numerous epiphytes—plants that grow on other plants for support (Zotz, 2003). A common myth suggests that walking palms can move to new locations by "walking" on their stilt-like roots. However, this belief has been debunked as a misconception (Radford, 2009).
Passion Fruit
Passion fruit vines are celebrated for their stunning flowers and edible fruits, which have commercial value. There are four main types of passion fruit:
Purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)
Yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa)
Sweet granadilla (Passiflora ligularis)
Giant granadilla (Passiflora quadrangularis)
Cashew
Cashew trees (Anacardium occidentale) are known for their seeds, often mistaken for nuts. While the seeds are widely consumed, they are naturally toxic and require detoxification before eating. The plant contains urushiols, toxins found in most parts except the fleshy fruit. Cashew seeds are typically detoxified through high-heat steaming (Healthline).
Cocoa
The cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao) produces the seeds used to make chocolate. Widely cultivated in tropical regions, its farming has contributed to deforestation in the Amazon. Cocoa seeds contain theobromine, a compound harmless to primates but toxic to carnivorans.
Mahogany
Big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is valued for its dark, durable wood. Overharvesting has led to its classification as "Endangered" by the IUCN Red List. The IUCN is the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Rubber Tree
The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) produces a latex-rich sap that historically played a significant role in the Amazon’s deforestation during the rubber boom. Despite the advent of synthetic alternatives, natural rubber remains an important resource.
Coca
Two species of coca plants—Erythroxylum coca and Erythroxylum novogranatense—are cultivated for their leaves, which are used to produce cocaine. This has made coca cultivation a source of corruption and instability in the Amazon region.
References:
Zotg, Gerhard. Vollrath, Birgit. (2003) The epiphyte vegetation of the palm Socratea exorrhiza – correlations with tree size, tree age and bryophyte cover Journal of Tropical Ecology
https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/2257/Zotz_and_Vollrath.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Radford, Benjamin (2009) The Myth of the Walking Palm Tree Skeptical Inquirer
https://skepticalinquirer.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2009/11/p23.pdf
Are Cashews poisonous? All you need to know healthline
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/are-cashews-nuts#bottom-line
Big Leaf Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) IUCN Red List
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32293/68104718