Elucidating the reproductive systems and fruit description of the Breadnut (Brosimum alicastrum Sw., Moraceae), an underutilised opportunity food tree, in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala
Brosimum alicastrum Sw. (Breadnut or Maya nut), of the Moraceae family, is an underutilised tropical food tree with high nutritional, cultural, and ecological importance in Mesoamerica. Despite its potential as a sustainable forest-based food crop, large uncertainty remains regarding its reproductive biology and fruit morphology, contributing to highly variable and unpredictable yields. This study elucidates the reproductive system, pollination strategy, and fruit characteristics of B. alicastrum in two forested areas of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala: Uaxactún and Sierra del Lacandón. Using forest inventories, canopy-based floral observations, fruit and seedling assessments, and ethnobotanical interviews with local collectors, to assess site-specific variation in reproductive traits and yield proxies. Results demonstrate clear differences between populations. Uaxactún exhibited a predominantly monoecious system with female and hermaphroditic individuals, where nearly all trees showed signs of reproduction. In contrast, Sierra del Lacandón showed evidence of a dioecious population, with a substantial proportion of non-reproductive (male) trees, explaining lower and less reliable yields. Floral morphology, absence of animal pollinators, exposed stigmas, and abundant pollen strongly indicate wind pollination. Furthermore, the fruit is reclassified from a drupe or berry to a sorosis, a composite infructescence formed from the entire inflorescence. These findings reconcile longstanding contradictions in the literature and highlight the importance of population-specific reproductive strategies for management, conservation, and the future development of B. alicastrum as an opportunity tree crop for food security.
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Authors
Friborg, K.G.,Mendieta Jiménez, D.E.,Theilade, I.,Sørensen, M.
Publication year
2026
