Theobroma cacao Theobroma cacao Theobroma cacao, also called the cacao tree and the cocoa tree, is a small ( tall) evergreen tree in the family Malvaceae, native to the deep tropical regions of the Americas. Its seeds, cocoa beans, are used to make cocoa mass, cocoa powder, confectionery, ganache and chocolate. Leaves are alternate, entire, unlobed, long and broad. The flowers are produced in clusters directly on the trunk and older branches; this is known as cauliflory. The flowers are small, diameter, with pink calyx. The floral formula is ✶ K5 C5 A(5°+5²) (5). While many of the world's flowers are pollinated
Cacao swollen-shoot virus the whole plantation. Since the virus is transmitted readily through seed, only seed that is known to be free of the virus should be planted. "Planococcus njalensis" population density is closely correlated with density of ants in the genus "Crematogaster", which build protective carton tents over the mealy bug colonies. "Crematogaster" populations however are negatively correlated with populations of ants of the genus "Oecophylla". This could be a natural biological control that is worth considering if agents to control the "Crematogaster" ants are developed, since they should not target "Oecophylla" ants as well. Cacao swollen shoot virus has had a