Brosimum is a genus

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 of plants in the mulberry family

Family (biology)

In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...

, Moraceae

Moraceae

Moraceae — often called the mulberry family or fig family — are a family of flowering plants comprising about 40 genera and over 1000 species. Most are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, less so in temperate climates...

, native to tropical regions of the Americas

Americas

The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...

.

The Breadnut (B. alicastrum

Brosimum alicastrum

Brosimum alicastrum, the breadnut or Maya nut, is a Brosimum tree species under the Moraceae family of flowering plants, whose other genera include fig and mulberries The plant is known by a range of names in indigenous Mesoamerican and other languages, including but not limited to: ramon,ojoche,...

) was used by the Maya civilization

Maya civilization

The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period The Maya is a Mesoamerican...

 for its edible nut. The dense vividly colored scarlet wood of Satine Bloodwood (B. paraense) is used for decorative woodworking. Plants of this genus are otherwise used for timber

Timber

Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...

, building materials, and in a cultural context.

Selected species

• Brosimum acutifolium
• Brosimum alicastrum
  Brosimum alicastrum
  Brosimum alicastrum, the breadnut or Maya nut, is a Brosimum tree species under the Moraceae family of flowering plants, whose other genera include fig and mulberries The plant is known by a range of names in indigenous Mesoamerican and other languages, including but not limited to: ramon,ojoche,...
  
  Sw.
  Olof Swartz
  Olof Peter Swartz was a Swedish botanist and taxonomist. He is best known for his taxonomic work and studies into pteridophytes...
  
  – Breadnut
  Breadnut
  Breadnut can refer to* Brosimum alicastrum, also known as "Maya nut" or ramón* Artocarpus camansi, a close relative of the breadfruit...
  
  , Maya Nut, ramón (Spanish)
• Brosimum costaricanum Liebm.
• Brosimum discolor
• Brosimum gaudichaudii Trecul – Mama-cadela
• Brosimum glaucum Taub.
• Brosimum glaziovii
  Brosimum glaziovii
  Brosimum glaziovii is a species of plant in the Moraceae family. It is endemic to Brazil. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:* Varty, N. 1998. . Downloaded on 20 August 2007....
  
  Taub.
• Brosimum guianense (Aubl.) Huber – "snakewood
  Snakewood
  Snakewood is a common name of three different plants:* Acacia xiphophylla in Australia* Brosimum guianense in South America* Colubrina species in North America...
  
  " (= B. aubletii)
• Brosimum ovatifolium
• Brosimum paraense – Satine Bloodwood
• Brosimum parinarioides Ducke
  • Brosimum parinarioides ssp. amplicoma (Ducke) C.C.Berg (= B. amplicoma)
  • Brosimum parinarioides ssp. parinarioides
• Brosimum potabile
• Brosimum rubescens Taub. (= B. paraense)
• Brosimum utile (Kunth) Pittier (= B. galactodendron)

Formerly placed here

• Pseudolmedia spuria (Sw.) Griseb. (as B. spurium Sw.)