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Taxa

Theobroma

Plant Genera

Theobroma is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae, previously classified in the family Sterculiaceae before that family was absorbed into Malvaceae, comprising 41 species of small understory trees native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. The most economically significant species is Theobroma cacao, whose seeds are the source of cocoa and chocolate; other species of economic importance include cupuacu, mocambo and capacui. The genus name derives from Greek words meaning food of the gods.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Genus 2
Scientific Name
Theobroma 2
Member Species/Taxa Count
41 2
Geographic Distribution
Native to the tropical forests of Central and South America 2
Defining Characteristics
Genus of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae, comprising small understory trees. 2
Member Count Band
10 to 100 Species 3
Era First Appeared
Paleogene 4
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 1
Theobroma
Filter Results1 entry

Cacao (Theobroma cacao)

Theobroma
Connections

Parent Taxon Of

Cacao (Theobroma cacao), Species
Source Wikidata: Cacao (Theobroma cacao)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

South America

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ162078, descriptionView the Source
2. Theobroma - Wikipedia
  • Lead paragraph, sentence 1
    is a genus of flowering plants
  • Introduction
    Theobroma is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae.
  • Lead paragraph, sentence 2
    It contains 41 species of small understory trees
  • Lead paragraph, sentence 2, native range clause
    native to the tropical forests of Central and South America
  • Lead paragraph, sentence 1, family clause
    genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae
  • In Group: Mallow Family Genera (Malvaceae), Lead
    Theobroma is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae.
View the Source
3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Theobroma
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
Quote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 42
View the Source
4. Paleobiology Database: Paleobiology Database taxon record for Theobroma
Paleobiology Databasefirstapp_max_ma
Quote, firstapp_max_ma
"firstapp_max_ma": 56
View the Source
Wikidata: Theobroma
Wikidata Q162078, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Wikidata: Cacao (Theobroma cacao)
Parent Taxon Of: Cacao (Theobroma cacao), Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q162078 (Theobroma)View the Source
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