Theobroma cocoa and chocolate. "Theobroma" species are used as food plants by the larvae of some moths of the genus "Endoclita", including "E. chalybeatus", "E. damor", "E. hosei" and "E. sericeus". The larvae of another moth, "Hypercompe muzina", feed exclusively on "Theobroma cacao". An active ingredient of cacao, theobromine, is named for the genus. Theobroma Theobroma is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae, that is sometimes classified as a member of Sterculiaceae. It contains roughly 20 species of small understory trees native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. The generic name is derived from
Cabécar people are among the tallest trees often found in Cabécar tropical home gardens. Lower strata include permanent crops such as coffee ("Coffea arabica") and cacao ("Theobroma cacao"). The lowest stratum is characterized by medicinal plants, shrubs, and tubers, including chili pepper ("Capsicum annuum"), manioc ("Manihot esculenta"), and tiquisque ("Xanthosoma violaceum"). The Cabécar maintain their tropical home gardens by removing undesired underbrush to allow for growth of wild species that can also be harvested to supplement Cabécar everyday needs. Cabécar subsistence farmers practice rotating slash-and-burn agriculture for basic food requirements. This technique is employed during the driest month to clear dense underbrush