Bertholletia

/ˌbɜːrθəˈleɪʃə/ noun

Definition

A genus containing the Brazil nut tree, a large tropical tree producing valuable nuts inside extremely hard-shelled fruits.

Etymology

A botanical genus named after Claude-Louis Berthollet, a prominent 18th-century French chemist, following Linnaean naming conventions.

Kelly Says

Brazil nut trees (bertholletia excelsa) are so massive and long-lived that the oldest ones were already ancient when Europeans first arrived in South America—they can live over 1,000 years and are nearly impossible to grow outside rainforests!

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