THEOBROMA, in botany, a genus of the polydelphia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants. There are two species, both natives of the Indies.
1. The first, which is the cacao, or chocolate-nut tree, is but of very moderate growth. See CACAO, (Encycl.) and Plate LXVI.
2. The guazuma, or bald cedar of Jamaica, rises with an upright large trunk, branching numerously, and spreading 30 or 40 feet high; with oblong, heart-shaped, serrated, alternate leaves, four inches long; and numerous small yellowish flowers at the sides of the branches; succeeded by roundish, tuberculated rough fruit, containing the seed.